At least 18 people possibly infected with Ebola have fled a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo after it was attacked multiple times by grieving families. The incident occurred at Mongbwalu general referral hospital in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak that has killed at least 220 people since early May.
Escaped Patients and Attacks
On Saturday, patients escaped as attackers set fire to tents set up by Médecins Sans Frontières. Of the 18, four lab results have returned: three negative and one positive. Dr. Richard Lokodu, medical director of the facility, told Reuters: 'We have one confirmed case of Ebola that continues to circulate in the community and evade the response.'
The hospital was attacked four times on Sunday, orchestrated by the family of a Christian religious leader who died of Ebola. A suspected patient in critical condition died during the second attack while trying to flee his bed. Attackers sought to forcibly take bodies for burial, a practice that can spread Ebola through contact with bodily fluids.
Previous Incidents and Misinformation
A similar attack occurred on Thursday at Rwampara Hospital after medical professionals refused to release a young footballer's body. Local officials attribute the violence to a lack of awareness, with some viewing Ebola as a 'white man's invention' or a hospital cash-grab.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, stated that the epidemic is outpacing response efforts. Neighboring Uganda reported two new cases among health workers in Kampala, bringing its total to seven. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, is responsible for the outbreak.
Regional Spread and Travel Restrictions
Cases have also been reported in North Kivu, and the M23 rebel group confirmed a death in South Kivu. Uganda has restricted travel to and from Congo and suspended flights. The U.S. State Department urges Americans not to travel to the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda due to the outbreak.
Health officials expect the number of cases to rise to as many as 1,000 as test results continue. The outbreak, declared an emergency of international concern by WHO, has sparked fears of regional spread after cases crossed into Uganda.
