Key facts
- A nurse treating Ebola patients was killed on Friday in Bafwasende, Tshopo province.
Youths killed a nurse treating Ebola patients in eastern Congo on Friday, with other health workers sheltering under police guard due to fear for their safety. The attack in Bafwasende, Tshopo province, is the latest in a series fueled by misinformation about the virus and health workers.
The killing of a health worker treating Ebola patients highlights the severe challenges faced by public health efforts in regions affected by misinformation and lack of trust, potentially hindering the response to outbreaks.
Youths killed a nurse treating Ebola patients in eastern Congo on Friday, with other health workers sheltering under police guard due to fear for their safety. The attack in Bafwasende, Tshopo province, is the latest in a series fueled by misinformation about the virus and health workers. The nurse worked at the general hospital, where he sought to help residents understand and protect themselves from Ebola. A colleague survived the attack and is recovering in hospital. Tshopo is among eight provinces battling a fast-spreading outbreak of the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, which has seen 9,964 confirmed cases and a 48.6% fatality rate since May. Attacks on health workers have targeted hospitals, vehicles and staff involved in the Ebola response, underscoring the challenge of building trust among the population.
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