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Ebola Nurse Brutally Killed by Youths in Congo
26 Oct
Summary
- A nurse treating Ebola patients was killed by youths in eastern Congo.
- Other health workers are in hiding due to fear for their safety.
- Attacks are fueled by misinformation surrounding the Ebola outbreak.
A nurse who was actively treating Ebola patients has been killed by youths in Bafwasende, located in Congo's Tshopo province. The health worker was attacked on Friday while attempting to educate residents about Ebola prevention and protection.
This incident has sent waves of fear through the healthcare community, with many workers now seeking refuge at the general hospital under police protection. They are too frightened to return to their homes, underscoring the severe security challenges faced by those on the front lines of the Ebola response.
The attacks are exacerbated by a surge in health misinformation, which has previously led to violence against health workers in the region. The Bundibugyo species of Ebola is currently spreading rapidly across eight provinces in Congo, with over 9,964 confirmed cases reported.
United Nations Ebola coordinator Julien Harneis condemned the killing as a significant loss for the Ebola response efforts and for the patients relying on care. The army has also been deployed to the area to bolster security measures.
