An Ebola treatment tent in Mongbwalu, Congo, was set ablaze on Friday night, marking the second such incident targeting medical facilities this week. Eighteen patients believed to be infected with the virus fled the facility during the attack, which occurred amid escalating tensions between health workers and local communities over strict protocols for handling highly contagious Ebola victims' bodies, which prevent traditional burial rites.
WHO Elevates Risk Level
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the risk level for Congo to 'very high' due to the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo virus. Authorities have confirmed 82 cases and seven deaths, though the true scale is estimated to be much larger, with 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths.
Revised Timeline
The outbreak's timeline has been significantly revised after the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that three volunteers died from the virus on 27 March, indicating the disease spread undetected for weeks. In response, authorities in northeastern Congo have banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people to curb transmission.
Health officials stress the urgent need to build trust with affected communities to ensure compliance with containment measures and prevent further attacks on medical facilities.
