Attacks on Ebola health facilities are intensifying in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with WHO warning that the outbreak could worsen in both the DRC and Uganda. On Thursday, the Rwampara health centre was stormed by angry residents demanding the bodies of relatives who died from Ebola, an incident confirmed by partners involved in the response.
The following day, a tent provided by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) at a hospital in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, was set on fire. Healthcare staff had isolated the body of a patient showing Ebola symptoms according to strict health protocols, but tensions flared during preparations for burial, leading to the burning of two tents.
Health workers in Ebola-affected areas of eastern DRC have consistently faced community resistance, primarily due to strict burial protocols. These protocols require specialized handling of bodies to prevent further transmission of the virus. Aid agencies report that fear, rumors, and mistrust of medical teams often drive these tensions.
Some residents believe Ebola is a commercial enterprise.
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