A politician in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly been beaten to death after speaking about the Ebola outbreak on the radio.
Marie-Celestin Karondwa, the acting president of the UDPS party in the DRC, was attacked in his neighbourhood following the radio show, his party said. He had promoted disease prevention measures to tackle the spread of Ebola shortly before the attack.
Attack in Butembo
Karondwa was based in Butembo, northeastern DRC, which is a new hotspot for the deadly disease that has killed almost 4,000 people in the country. He was beaten by the suspected attackers, had his belongings stolen, and his house was set on fire, according to Reuters, citing the party.
Karondwa later succumbed to his injuries. The party or officials have not confirmed how many attackers were involved or who they were.
Ebola misinformation
The UDPS federation in Butembo said the politician was an 'innocent victim for having defended the party's position on the existence of the Ebola virus disease […] and the threat it poses to the population.'
While the motivation of the suspected attackers has not been publicly revealed, attacks on Ebola response teams and health facilities are not uncommon in the DRC. Misinformation and false claims about the disease have fuelled attacks, including unfounded claims that Ebola is not real.
Rioters have previously set fire to isolation tents in Rwampara after the family of a young man were prevented from taking away his body due to fears he died of Ebola.
Outbreak figures
Ebola cases linked to the latest Bundibugyo strain have surged to more than 8,000 in the DRC, according to the latest government figures. The country's public health body has recorded 8,067 cases and 3,901 deaths, giving the outbreak a fatality rate of 48.4%.
Vaccines against Bundibugyo are being trialled, but there is currently no approved treatment. While cases have somewhat plateaued, the outbreak is not under control, officials have warned.
The DRC has also been ravaged by internal conflict and displacement of people escaping fighting, and a protracted conflict with Rwanda.
