Ebola Treatment Centers Attacked Amid Outbreak in Eastern Congo

In eastern Congo, residents have attacked Ebola treatment centers amid growing tensions over the ongoing outbreak. On Friday night, a tent used for treating suspected and confirmed Ebola cases in Mongbwalu was set on fire, marking the second such incident in a week. Dr. Richard Lokudi, director of Mongbwalu hospital, stated that 18 suspected Ebola patients fled during the attack and are currently unaccounted for.

Earlier in the week, a treatment center in Rwampara was burned down after family members were denied access to the body of a man suspected to have died from Ebola. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, noting that the risk to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is "very high," though the global risk remains low.

In response to the outbreak, U.S. health officials have temporarily banned green card holders who have recently been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan from reentering the United States. This measure aims to ensure that Ebola screening and monitoring resources are available to U.S. citizens.

The Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, responsible for the current outbreak, lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment. As of May 21, 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths, with 85 confirmed cases and 10 deaths across both Congo and Uganda. The outbreak is further complicated by regional insecurity and challenges in community engagement, underscoring the need for coordinated international response efforts.