Attacks on Ebola centres intensify in eastern DRC amid outbreak fears

May 24, 2026 - 10:17

Anger and mistrust are escalating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where armed groups have intensified attacks on Ebola treatment centers. The violence comes as health officials warn that the latest outbreak could spiral out of control if community resistance continues to undermine containment efforts.

The attacks, which have targeted both medical facilities and health workers, are fueled by deep-seated suspicion toward the international response. Many locals object to strict burial protocols that prevent traditional funeral rites, where families wash and touch the body of the deceased. Since Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids, these rituals are extremely dangerous, but for many communities, they are a sacred obligation.

Health teams have been forced to suspend operations in several hot zones after gunmen stormed clinics and burned supplies. In some areas, residents have thrown stones at ambulances and refused to let medics enter villages. The violence has already hampered vaccination campaigns and contact tracing, two critical tools for stopping the virus.

The situation is complicated by a long history of political instability and armed conflict in the region. Some local leaders accuse foreign aid groups of exploiting the outbreak for profit or political influence. Without a shift in trust, experts fear the disease will spread into densely populated cities, where containment becomes nearly impossible. For now, the medical response is caught between a deadly virus and a deeply skeptical population.