A nurse involved in the Ebola response was killed and another person seriously injured in Bafwasende, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on October 24. Reports published on October 25 and 26 describe renewed threats to outbreak teams in Tshopo province. AP reported that WHO condemned the attack.
According to AP, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged protection for healthcare personnel. Accounts differ on the injured person's role and the victims' activities: AP described an Ebola alert response, while Actualite.cd cited a local doctor saying a nurse and a school head were returning from fields.
Radio Okapi reported that attackers accused the victims of spreading Ebola through water sources, allegations rejected by health and administrative authorities. The broadcaster said police rescued an injured teacher. It reported that a local security council met on October 25 and police were seeking those responsible.
The local health chief told Actualite.cd that Bafwasende had recorded 19 Ebola cases, including nine deaths and five recoveries. Two patients remained hospitalised and three others had left care, he said. He warned that violence could drive away response partners and requested stronger protection from provincial authorities.
The wider emergency remains severe. In its October 23 update, WHO reported 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths in Congo as of October 20, across 66 health zones in eight provinces. These are dated national figures, separate from the local tally. WHO also reported imported cases in Kenya and Nigeria.
WHO said deaths occurring outside treatment centres highlighted difficulties with early detection and timely care. It called for stronger surveillance and regional preparedness. Locally, Radio Okapi reported appeals for calm and cooperation with health teams as authorities sought to prevent further attacks and investigate the killing.
Comments