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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured while responding to an Ebola alert in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The attack occurred on Saturday in Bafwasende, a town in Tshopo Province in eastern DRC, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus.
In a post on X on Monday, Ghebreyesus expressed condolences to the nurse’s family, colleagues and friends while 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.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi also condemned the attack, stressing that health workers responding to the outbreak must be protected.
“Health is not a target,” Janabi said on X, warning that misinformation and fear must not fuel violence against frontline responders.
Ebola Outbreak Puts Health Workers Under Pressure
The attack comes as the DRC continues to battle a major outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola virus disease.
According to the WHO’s latest epidemiological update cited in the report, the country had recorded 9,964 confirmed cases and 4,841 deaths as of October 24, alongside 2,670 recoveries.
The outbreak remained active across 66 health zones and had spread to multiple provinces, placing considerable pressure on healthcare workers and emergency response teams.
Frontline personnel have been working to identify suspected cases, trace contacts, provide treatment and prevent further transmission.
The killing of the nurse and the injury of another health worker highlight the security risks facing teams responding to the outbreak.
WHO Calls For Protection Of Frontline Responders
The WHO has called for healthcare workers to be able to carry out their duties safely, particularly during public health emergencies.
Tedros and Janabi stressed that attacks against health personnel threaten efforts to protect affected communities and control the spread of infectious diseases.
The agency has also warned against misinformation and fear that could undermine outbreak response efforts.
As the DRC continues its response to the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak, the safety of medical personnel remains a major concern for health authorities.
