DR Congo health center attack sends Ebola patients fleeing

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has reached 11,042 reported infections and 5,387 deaths since it was declared in May, making it the country’s deadliest outbreak and spreading across eight provinces. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the strain, and conflict, attacks on health workers and facilities, poor access, community mistrust, unpaid responders and strikes are hampering containment; WHO says 400–500 infections are still being identified weekly, including in hard-to-reach areas. In Cantine-Aloya, suspected Allied Democratic Forces fighters killed 66 civilians, including three health workers, and looted or burned health facilities, disrupting care. The violence led patients to flee a hospital; three confirmed Ebola cases are unaccounted for and more than 1,000 contacts have been lost to follow-up, raising fears of further transmission. Health officials and aid groups warn that insecurity and gaps in the response are allowing the outbreak to advance, despite progress in some earlier hotspots.