A new KFF issue brief examines the international and U.S. response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, now the second largest ever recorded, as authorities struggle to contain the virus’ spread amid violence in an active combat zone.

Conflict in the Ebola-affected region has impeded the response from the start, but conditions worsened following the DRC’s contested national elections in December. The brief notes the limited U.S. role with restricted deployment of key personnel due to safety concerns.