BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo ,An Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, eastern Congo, was set on fire on Thursday after local youths clashed with authorities over the handling of a suspected Ebola victim’s body, according to witnesses and police officials.
The incident occurred in the heart of the outbreak zone in Ituri Province, where fear and frustration have been growing as health workers struggle to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Eyewitnesses said tensions escalated when families and friends were prevented from retrieving the body of a local man believed to have died from Ebola virus disease. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with youths breaking into the facility, setting parts of it on fire, and destroying medical equipment. Aid workers fled the scene as the situation spiraled out of control.
“The police intervened to try to calm the situation, but unfortunately they were unsuccessful,” said one witness, describing how the crowd overwhelmed security forces.
A senior police official in Ituri Province said the crowd was angered after being told that all suspected Ebola victims must be buried under strict safety protocols to prevent further infections. Health authorities emphasize that bodies of Ebola victims remain highly contagious and must be handled by trained teams to avoid spreading the virus.
Humanitarian organization ALIMA, which operates in the area, confirmed that its teams were forced to withdraw during the attack but later resumed operations after calm was restored.
The outbreak has placed immense pressure on already fragile health systems in eastern Congo, a region also affected by armed conflict and mass displacement. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern, warning that the outbreak may be larger than reported.
According to Congolese authorities, there have been 671 suspected cases and at least 160 suspected deaths across affected provinces. Neighboring Uganda has also reported isolated cases linked to the outbreak.
Experts warn that the combination of weak healthcare infrastructure, population displacement, and insecurity in Ituri Province is making containment efforts extremely difficult. More than 920,000 people are currently displaced in the region, according to United Nations figures.
The outbreak is believed to be driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no widely available vaccine or treatment currently exists. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has urged faster response efforts, warning that the coming days are critical in preventing further spread.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, or saliva, and can cause severe symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding.
Health officials continue to stress the importance of safe burial practices and community cooperation as the outbreak continues to spread in one of Central Africa’s most volatile regions.
