Ebola Crisis in Congo: Violence and Mistrust Challenge Health Response

BUNIA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Health professionals on the front lines against Ebola in Congo face multiple challenges. They not only lack essential supplies, but they also endure attacks on their facilities. Patients are fleeing as the virus spreads quickly.

There have been at least three significant incidents in Ituri, a northeastern province where Ebola cases first emerged. Two attacks at a single hospital allowed more than 20 patients to escape. Health workers wearing protective gear gathered to sanitize the isolation area at the General Referral Hospital of Mongbwalu.

Seron Muyisa / AFP via Getty Images

These attacks echo the violence that targeted medical facilities during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This outbreak claimed the lives of over 25 healthcare workers. Local civilians, frustrated about not being able to bury loved ones, sometimes believed the outbreak was fake. An influx of resources and personnel heightened local suspicions.

Dr. Richard Lokodu, medical director at Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, pointed out similar patterns now. The hospital faced attacks twice in one weekend. Lokodu mentioned, “There is denial of the disease within the population, with some members wanting to claim the bodies of suspected and/or confirmed cases.”

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a public health emergency of international concern. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported over 900 suspected cases, including 101 confirmed cases. By Monday, 220 suspected Ebola deaths were noted, with delays in detection causing response teams to lag behind.

Escaping Patients and Burned Facilities

At Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, located in the town where numerous cases have arisen, 18 Ebola patients escaped on Saturday. Unknown attackers burned tents set up by Medecins Sans Frontieres for isolating patients. Among the escaping patients, four had test results returned — three negative and one positive for Ebola, Lokodu confirmed.

“We have one confirmed case of Ebola that continues to circulate in the community and evade the response,” Lokodu said.

Sunday brought further tumult as the hospital faced four attack waves inspired by a religious leader’s relatives, who died of Ebola. Seven patients managed to flee again, requiring intervention from the police and military. A critically ill suspected Ebola patient died amid efforts to flee.

Lokodu explained that the attackers demanded access to deceased Ebola victims for burial. Handling bodies of Ebola victims without protective measures is a major transmission source.

History of Violence

During the 2013-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, healthcare facilities weathered sporadic attacks from angry mobs. Many accused workers of spreading the virus. In the eastern Congo outbreak, such incidents increased significantly. Local unrest and hostility to official authorities fueled these attacks.

Many attacks aligned with militia groups intent on exploiting the outbreak politically and financially. Researchers believe the current outbreak began in Ituri before reaching North and South Kivu provinces.

On Monday, Uganda reported two new Ebola cases, taking the national total to seven. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by health officials and the need for improved security and truthful communication.