World · Africa · 10 hrs ago
Rebel attacks disrupt Ebola response in eastern Congo as deaths rise
Militants killed 66 people, including three health workers, in an attack in Cantine-Aloya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The attackers also looted and burned three health facilities, and violence has continued in the area.
The attacks have disrupted efforts to contain Ebola, which has spread across eastern and northeastern Congo.
Declared in May, the outbreak has infected more than 11,000 people and killed more than 5,000.
Three confirmed patients and more than 1,000 contacts are unaccounted for after people fled the attack, according to WHO officials.
Health agencies say insecurity is blocking access to communities, while workers also face shortages of supplies and basic services.
WHO officials are calling for hostilities to stop, warning that continued violence could put more lives at risk and allow the virus to spread.
Islamic State-linked fighters killed 66 civilians, including three health workers, in an attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week.
The attack in Cantine-Aloya disrupted Ebola operations and left three confirmed patients and more than 1,000 contacts unaccounted for.
Health agencies say continuing insecurity is hampering the response and putting more lives at risk.
The outbreak has infected more than 11,000 people and killed more than 5,000 since it was declared in May.
Health workers also face shortages of supplies, fuel, training and wages, according to Médecins Sans Frontières.
- Who
- Islamic State-linked fighters killed 66 civilians, including three health workers.
- What
- An attack killed civilians and destroyed or looted and burned health facilities, disrupting the Ebola response.
- When
- Last week. Further attacks continued through Wednesday night, according to WHO officials.
- Where
- Cantine-Aloya, in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Why
- The attack was carried out by Islamic State-linked fighters; the sources do not state a specific motive.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak was declared.
Islamic State-linked fighters killed 66 civilians, including three health workers, in Cantine-Aloya.
Attacks continued, disrupting health operations and scattering people exposed to Ebola, WHO officials said.
WHO and African health officials described insecurity as a major obstacle to the response.
- Deaths in attack
- 66 civilians, including three health workers
- Attack location
- Cantine-Aloya, North Kivu province
- Missing Ebola patients
- 3 confirmed cases
- Contacts lost to follow up
- More than 1,000
- Outbreak toll
- More than 11,000 cases and more than 5,000 deaths
3 sources
What people are saying
We need an urgent halt in hostilities and violence
Insecurity is now one of the greatest obstacles to the Ebola response in the DRC
gain a head start, which is hampering our response
Six months into the response, this situation is simply unacceptable.