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A nurse has been killed and another health worker seriously injured in an attack during an Ebola response operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization says the incident is the latest violence targeting teams working to contain the deadly outbreak.
The attack occurred on Saturday in Bafwasende, a town in Tshopo province in eastern DRC. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the incident in a post shared on X on Sunday.
Tedros condemned the violence and called for the protection of everyone involved in controlling the disease. He said health workers responding to the outbreak must be able to perform their duties safely and with dignity.
WHO Condemns Violence Against Health Workers
The WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, also criticised the attack. He warned that health workers must not become targets while helping communities affected by Ebola.
Janabi said misinformation and fear should never encourage violence against outbreak responders. He urged communities to allow medical teams to carry out their work without threats or attacks.
Local authorities had not publicly commented on the incident or identified any suspects in the reported attack. The circumstances surrounding the violence therefore remained unclear.
Distrust Complicates Ebola Containment
The attacks come as health authorities continue confronting a major Ebola outbreak in the DRC. Figures from the country’s Ministry of Health indicate that more than 9,800 cases and over 4,700 deaths have been recorded since May.
The reported figures make the outbreak the deadliest in the country’s history. Health officials face additional challenges as they attempt to reach affected communities and prevent further transmission.
Distrust of authorities and concerns about the government’s response have contributed to resistance in some communities. Some people have reportedly dismissed Ebola as a hoax, making it harder for response teams to gain public cooperation.
Medical responders also face difficulties working in remote areas and emerging hotspots. Shortages of medical supplies and healthcare workers have further complicated efforts to provide treatment and control infections.
Previous Violence Raises Further Concerns
Last month, a politician in North Kivu was reportedly beaten to death after publicly defending the government’s Ebola response. He had urged people to follow preventive measures during a radio programme.
His message included calls for social distancing and regular hand-washing to reduce the risk of infection. The incident highlighted the risks faced by people encouraging communities to follow public health guidance.
The latest attack has renewed concerns about the safety of workers responding to the outbreak. Protecting medical teams remains essential as authorities continue efforts to treat patients, trace contacts and limit further spread.
Health officials have also stressed the importance of addressing misinformation and building trust with affected communities. Without cooperation and security, response teams may struggle to deliver essential services in areas facing the outbreak.
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