Ebola Treatment Centers in Eastern Congo Face Multiple Attacks Amid Outbreak

Health facilities in eastern Congo have been attacked multiple times amid an escalating Ebola outbreak, complicating containment efforts.

On Sunday evening, young men stormed Mongbwalu General Hospital, demanding the release of deceased relatives' bodies. Medical staff evacuated patients as gunfire was reported in the area. Dr. Richard Lokudu, the hospital's medical director, stated that the attackers sought the bodies of their kin.

This incident marks the third attack on health centers within a week. On Saturday, residents set fire to a tent used for treating suspected and confirmed Ebola cases, leading to 18 patients fleeing and remaining unaccounted for.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The Bundibugyo strain of the virus, involved in this outbreak, currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.

Health officials emphasize that bodies of Ebola victims are highly contagious, necessitating specialized burial procedures to prevent further transmission. However, these measures have led to tensions with local communities, resulting in violent incidents that hinder containment efforts.