Ebola Crisis in Congo: Challenges Amid Violence and Denial

In the northeastern province of Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, healthcare workers battling the spread of Ebola face additional hurdles. At least three attacks on medical facilities have occurred, exacerbating existing shortages of essential supplies.

Recent attacks targeted the General Referral Hospital of Mongbwalu. Over the weekend, attackers allowed more than two dozen patients to escape. Healthcare workers, equipped with protective gear, continue efforts to disinfect isolation areas for Ebola patients.

The violence is reminiscent of the attacks during the 2018-2020 outbreak in eastern Congo, where 25 health workers lost their lives, said Dr. Richard Lokodu, medical director of Mongbwalu Hospital.

Community suspicions have risen with the sudden influx of resources in a region long affected by conflict and crisis. Many locals mistrust intentions, attributing the outbreak to hoaxes or ulterior motives.

The World Health Organization declared this Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Over 900 suspected cases have been reported, with 101 confirmed. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, marking the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, reported about 220 suspected deaths. Delays in case detection contribute to the challenging response efforts.

Patients Flee Amid Violence

At Mongbwalu Hospital, 18 patients fled when unknown assailants set tents on fire. These tents, established by Médecins Sans Frontières, were vital for patient isolation. Of the patients, lab results showed three negative and one positive result for Ebola. The confirmed case remains at large in the community.

The facility faced further attacks on Sunday. Young individuals, encouraged by the relatives of a Christian leader who died of Ebola, besieged the hospital. Seven additional patients managed to escape. Congolese police and soldiers intervened to restore order.

During the unrest, a suspected patient in critical condition with hemorrhaging died while attempting to flee. The attackers sought to reclaim the bodies of deceased Ebola victims for burial, unaware of the high infection risk posed by unsafe burial practices.

Pattern of Violence

Health workers recall similar violence from the 2013-2016 West African Ebola outbreak. Accusations of spreading the virus often fueled hostility. During the 2018-2020 eastern Congo outbreak, these attacks increased significantly, exploited by militant groups for political and financial benefits.

Originating in Ituri, the virus has since spread to North and South Kivu provinces, including rebel-controlled areas, and crossed the border into Uganda. Recently, Uganda reported seven confirmed cases, indicating the outbreak’s expanding reach.