The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is triggering a second public health crisis, with growing numbers of pregnant women avoiding hospitals over fears of infection, leading to a sharp rise in maternal deaths. Common pregnancy symptoms such as fever can resemble those of Ebola, deepening anxiety and mistrust of health facilities. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), maternal deaths in Ituri Province-the epicentre of the outbreak-have nearly doubled since the Ebola outbreak was declared in May. The outbreak has also stretched an already fragile health system. Aid agencies warn that unless confidence in the healthcare system is restored, more women could die from preventable pregnancy complications than from Ebola itself.