Celebrating a wedding amid the Ebola outbreak: No kisses or close contact, but love lives here

Celebrating a wedding amid the Ebola outbreak: No kisses or close contact, but love lives here 1 of 6 | Despite the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s city of Bunia, some families were determined to go ahead with their relatives’ weddings. However, the local authorities and the church imposed certain measures that had to be followed, even though not everyone was happy about it. Solange Hahati, a bride, said that they had invited 300 people to her wedding, but when they arrived at the church, the church authorities allowed only 50 people to enter. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been facing a new Ebola outbreak since last May. 2 of 6 | A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 3 of 6 | A bride puts a ring on the groom’s finger during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 4 of 6 | A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding as guests shower them with confetti amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 5 of 6 | Altar boys arrive at a chapel during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 6 of 6 | Wedding guests cheer at a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 1 of 6 Despite the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s city of Bunia, some families were determined to go ahead with their relatives’ weddings. However, the local authorities and the church imposed certain measures that had to be followed, even though not everyone was happy about it. Solange Hahati, a bride, said that they had invited 300 people to her wedding, but when they arrived at the church, the church authorities allowed only 50 people to enter. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been facing a new Ebola outbreak since last May. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 6 | A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 2 of 6 A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 6 | A bride puts a ring on the groom’s finger during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 3 of 6 A bride puts a ring on the groom’s finger during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 6 | A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding as guests shower them with confetti amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 4 of 6 A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding as guests shower them with confetti amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 6 | Altar boys arrive at a chapel during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 5 of 6 Altar boys arrive at a chapel during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 6 of 6 | Wedding guests cheer at a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) 6 of 6 Wedding guests cheer at a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Bunia, Congo (AP) — There were no kisses, long embraces or a crowded dance floor packed with well-wishers. But there was love.As Congo is battling an Ebola disease outbreak that has killed nearly 100 people out of the more than 500 confirmed cases, local authorities have raced to slow the disease with strict measures, including by limiting public gatherings and enforcing social distancing.For Jean Claude Érable and his bride Solange Hahati, celebrating their wedding on Saturday in such conditions meant having some family members and friends absent on one of their happiest days.“We had planned 300 guests (but) only 50 people were allowed to enter,” Hahati told The Associated Press. “It was really difficult because we wanted to celebrate with our friends.”The latest Ebola disease outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri. There are 515 confirmed infections, including 91 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities. The number of cases is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed weeks late, and response has been challenging also because the virus has no approved vaccine or treatment. To help slow the spread, local officials have urged people to limit physical contact, wash their hands regularly and report suspected cases quickly.