Ebola Response in DR Congo Hit by Deadly Attack as Nurse Is Killed and Health Worker Injured

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Efforts to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have suffered another setback after an attack killed a nurse and severely injured another health worker responding to an Ebola alert in the country’s east. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of medical teams working to contain the outbreak, which has become the deadliest in the country’s history.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the attack occurred on Saturday in Bafwasende, in Tshopo province. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the violence, stressing that healthcare workers must be protected while carrying out lifesaving duties. Authorities had not publicly identified the attackers or provided details about their motives as of October 26, 2026.

The attack comes as health authorities face mounting difficulties containing the outbreak, which began in May 2026. According to the WHO’s October 23 update, the DRC had recorded 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths by October 20. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making early detection, supportive medical care and infection prevention particularly important.

Violence and distrust have repeatedly complicated the response. Some residents have questioned the existence or severity of the disease, while anger over the government’s handling of the outbreak and longstanding concerns about corruption have contributed to resistance against health interventions. Previous incidents have included attacks on health facilities, threats against response teams and the fatal beating of a politician who publiAcly supported Ebola prevention measures. These incidents make it harder for medical workers to reach communities, trace contacts and encourage people to seek treatment.

The outbreak has also raised concerns beyond the DRC’s borders. The WHO reported imported cases in Kenya and Nigeria in October, highlighting the risk of further international spread. Uganda, which previously declared an end to its latest Ebola outbreak in July, has also increased precautions for people returning from the DRC. Health authorities across the region are strengthening surveillance, contact tracing and preparedness to identify infections quickly and prevent further transmission.

The killing of the nurse underscores the risks faced by healthcare workers on the front line of the outbreak. Beyond the immediate loss of life, attacks can disrupt essential response activities at a time when medical supplies, trained personnel and community cooperation are urgently needed. Health officials continue to call for protection of responders and greater public cooperation, warning that fear and misinformation can undermine efforts to bring the outbreak under control.

As the Ebola crisis continues, ensuring the safety of health workers and rebuilding public trust will be critical to containing infections and preventing further deaths in the DRC and neighbouring countries