Ebola patients flee in attacks on Congo health facilities, hobbling response

May 25, 2026 - 18:51

A series of violent attacks on health facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo has forced dozens of Ebola patients to flee, severely undermining efforts to contain the outbreak. Medical workers reported that armed groups targeted treatment centers in the eastern part of the country, causing panic among patients and staff. In one incident, assailants stormed a clinic, leading to the escape of at least 20 patients who were undergoing treatment for the virus.

"There is denial of the disease within the population, with some members wanting to claim the bodies of suspected and/or confirmed cases," a doctor at one hospital said. The attacks have not only disrupted critical care but also raised fears that the virus could spread rapidly through communities where trust in health authorities is already low. Health officials are scrambling to track down the missing patients, but the volatile security situation is hampering their efforts.

The World Health Organization has condemned the violence, calling it a major setback in the fight against the epidemic. Since the outbreak began, hundreds of cases have been reported, with a high fatality rate. The attacks come as responders are already struggling with logistical challenges in remote and conflict-ridden areas. Without a secure environment, experts warn that containing the virus may become nearly impossible, putting neighboring regions at risk.