Safety fears limit Ebola response in Congo, with more than 12 attacks on health facilities and workers recorded

July 19, 2026 - 00:32

The fight against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being severely hindered by a wave of violent attacks, with more than a dozen incidents targeting health facilities and medical teams in recent weeks. Pierre Akilimali, the incident manager for the Ebola response, stated at a press briefing that many of these assaults are carried out by angry mobs. These groups have stormed treatment centers or directly targeted response teams working in the field.

The ongoing violence is creating a climate of fear that is slowing down critical containment efforts. Health workers are facing not only the challenge of a deadly virus but also the threat of physical harm from local communities. Akilimali explained that the attacks disrupt vaccination campaigns, contact tracing, and the safe burial of victims. This allows the virus to continue spreading unchecked in some areas.

Officials are struggling to maintain a safe environment for medical staff. The repeated attacks have forced some response activities to pause, and many workers are now reluctant to enter high-risk zones without significant security. The situation underscores a major obstacle in public health emergencies, where community mistrust and misinformation can turn deadly. Without a secure environment, health authorities warn that containing the outbreak will remain an uphill battle.