Doctors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing increased challenges in fighting Ebola due to attacks on healthcare facilities and fleeing patients. These problems are occurring as Ebola rapidly spreads in the northeastern province of Ituri. There, the first cases were reported, and at least three incidents of violence have been documented, including attacks on a single hospital over a weekend, allowing more than two dozen patients to escape.
At the General Referral Hospital of Mongbwalu in Congo, healthcare workers gather to disinfect the isolation area where Ebola patients are treated. These attacks are reminiscent of widespread violence against health facilities during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, which resulted in the deaths of more than 25 health workers. Many attacks were by civilians who either could not bury their loved ones or believed the outbreak was a hoax. The influx of resources into neglected areas has spurred suspicions about the true intent of the efforts.
Dr. Richard Lokodu, medical director of Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, noted the denial of the disease among the population, with some members wanting to claim bodies of suspected or confirmed cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, the third-largest recorded, a public health emergency of international concern. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported over 900 suspected cases, with 101 confirmed. On one Monday, Tedros mentioned that 220 suspected deaths occurred and responders are struggling to catch up due to delayed case detection.
Patients Escape Amid Attacks
At Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, situated in a town with many reported cases, 18 Ebola patients fled when unidentified individuals set tents on fire. These tents were set up by Medecins Sans Frontieres to isolate patients. Dr. Lokodu shared that lab results for four of those patients returned, with three negatives and one positive. This confirmed Ebola case remains in the community.
On a subsequent Sunday, the hospital faced a series of attacks led by relatives of a Christian religious leader who died of Ebola. During these attacks, seven more patients escaped, prompting police and military intervention to restore order. One critically ill patient with hemorrhage died trying to flee. Attackers demanded the release of victims’ bodies for burial, despite the high infectious risk posed by handling them without proper protective equipment.
History of Violence
In past outbreaks, health workers have faced attacks by angry mobs. During the 2013-2016 outbreak in West Africa, health workers were accused of spreading the virus. The situation escalated during the 2018-2020 Congo outbreak amidst insecurity and distrust of authorities. Researchers noted that militia groups exploited the outbreak for political and financial gains.
The current outbreak is believed to have started in Ituri and spread to North and South Kivu provinces, including areas controlled by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, and extended into Uganda. Uganda reported two additional confirmed cases, increasing its total to seven.