Health workers treating Ebola victims in eastern Congo are confronting a dual threat: the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no vaccine or treatment, and the anger and suspicion of local residents. Vanny Birungi, a Red Cross volunteer, has faced stone-pelting and verbal abuse while raising awareness in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak, where suspected cases are nearing 1,000.
Mistrust Fuels Danger
In a region long plagued by armed groups and displacement, deep distrust of outsiders complicates containment efforts. Pierre Basola, a Bunia resident, stated: "These people should stop bothering us. They just want to get rich. Let's not forget that Ebola is a white man's invention." Such sentiments create a hazardous environment for aid workers.
Attacks on Healthcare Facilities
In the past week, three attacks have targeted Ebola treatment centres. On Sunday, armed youths stormed a hospital, forcing staff to evacuate. The day before, a Doctors Without Borders tent in Mongbwalu was set ablaze, leading to the escape of over a dozen suspected patients. A centre in Rwampara was also burned after relatives were prevented from retrieving a body.
Anger is amplified by prevention practices that prohibit loved ones from handling bodies during final rites. "Trust is almost as important as the health response," said Heather Kerr, country director for the International Rescue Committee in Congo.
Outbreak Scale and Challenges
The outbreak now accounts for over 900 suspected cases and more than 220 suspected deaths, according to WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who noted: "We are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic." Early testing was conducted for a more common Ebola type, costing valuable time. Testing for the Bundibugyo strain is limited in a region reliant on generators and where a major airport has been under rebel control.
Health workers report being underprepared and underprotected, with an unknown number infected. A Congolese doctor died in Rwampara, and in Uganda, at least three health workers have been infected after cases emerged from Congolese travellers.
Community Engagement Key
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies believes three volunteers died in Mongbwalu after handling bodies on 27 March, which would push back the outbreak's timeline. Despite funeral homes preparing coffins, denial persists. "The only way to go is community engagement," said Yakubu Mohammed Saani, Action Aid's country director in Congo. Both WHO and Africa CDC believe the outbreak is larger than currently reported.
