A nurse was killed and another health worker was severely injured during an attack by local residents in Bafwasende, Tshopo province, in the northeast and east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a report published by the United Nations-backed Radio Okapi. The incident occurred as health authorities released new figures showing the ongoing Ebola outbreak has infected nearly 10,000 people.
Assault by Residents in Bafwasende
The attack took place on a Saturday in the town of Bafwasende. According to local accounts, a crowd of youths targeted the two health workers, accusing them of contaminating local water sources and spreading the Ebola virus.
The BBC attempted to contact the local Ebola response team for comment following the assault, but received no immediate response. The World Health Organization swiftly condemned the violence.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the WHO, issued a statement on social media saying that health workers must be able to do their jobs safely and with respect, and that they should always be protected, while offering condolences to the deceased nurse’s family and wishing the injured worker a swift recovery.
Rising Casualties Across Eight Provinces
The violence unfolded against a backdrop of mounting epidemiological pressure. Data from the DRC presidency’s Ebola response team shows that as of October 24, the country recorded 9,964 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,841 confirmed deaths since the outbreak began on May 15.
Health authorities documented 88 new cases and 38 additional deaths during the latest reporting cycle. Of those recent deaths, 26 occurred in private homes, while 12 patients died inside dedicated Ebola treatment facilities.
Transmission remains active across 66 health zones spanning eight provinces, with Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uélé bearing the heaviest burden. Ituri accounts for 72 percent of all infections since the outbreak’s inception, whereas North Kivu continues to record the highest fatality counts.
The Impact on Frontline Health Personnel
Dr. Wessam Mankoula, who works at the Africa CDC, stated during a Friday press briefing that 300 health workers have contracted Ebola during the current epidemic, resulting in 48 deaths among medical staff.
The active strain driving the current outbreak is identified as the Bundibugyo variant. State officials report ongoing efforts to engage communities, counter misinformation regarding the virus, and deploy containment measures across the affected zones.
Next Steps in the Containment Effort
Health authorities and international agencies plan to continue community outreach campaigns to address persistent misconceptions about the transmission of the Bundibugyo strain.
