Ebola Outbreak Triggers Attacks on Healthcare Facilities in Congo

In Kinshasa, Congo, young men attacked a hospital treating Ebola patients, prompting medical staff to evacuate patients amid gunfire. The assault targeted Mongbwalu General Hospital, which faced demands from the attackers to release the bodies of their relatives, according to Dr. Richard Lokudu. Although injuries remain unconfirmed, the hospital is on high alert.

This incident marks the third attack on healthcare centers in a week, highlighting the challenges in managing an Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus is highly contagious, particularly in deceased individuals, posing a risk during traditional burial practices.

In response, authorities have tasked officials with the sensitive task of burying Ebola victims, often leading to family protests. The government banned funeral gatherings of over 50 people in northeastern Congo to prevent virus spread. Recent attacks on healthcare facilities include a fire set by residents at a Doctors Without Borders location and a treatment center burned after family members were denied access to a suspect’s body.

WHO assesses a very high risk for Congo, although global spread risk is low. The Congolese Ministry of Communication reported 904 suspected Ebola cases in Ituri Province, a rise from over 700. The ministry also noted 119 suspected Ebola deaths, but regional figures totaled 220, a discrepancy not immediately clarified.

The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo virus, which went unnoticed for weeks after a first death in Bunia. Authorities initially tested for a more common virus, yielding negative results. The Red Cross confirmed the deaths of three volunteers from Ebola contracted during a mission related not directly to Ebola. If verified, this shifts the outbreak timeline significantly.