Ebola: Attackers kill nurse, injure health worker responding to case

Spread the word The World Health Organisation (WHO) Monday said a nurse was killed and another health worker severely injured while responding to an Ebola alert in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The attack occurred Saturday in Bafwasende, a town in Tshopo Province in eastern DRC, according to WHO director-general, Tedros Ghebreyesus.

Ghebreyesus stated the incident in a post on X, expressing condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the nurse and wishing the injured health worker a full recovery.

“Everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety. Healthcare must always be protected,” he said.

The WHO regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, also condemned the attack, saying those responding to the outbreak must be protected.

“Health is not a target,” Janabi said on X. “Those responding to the Ebola outbreak must be protected. Misinformation and fear must never fuel violence.”

The attack comes as DRC continues to battle the largest and deadliest phase of the current Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.

WHO’s latest epidemiological update shows that DRC had recorded 9,964 confirmed cases and 4,841 deaths as of 24 October, with 2,670 recoveries. The outbreak has spread across multiple provinces and remains active in 66 health zones.

The scale of the outbreak has placed significant pressure on health workers and response teams working to identify cases, trace contacts, provide treatment and prevent further transmission.