Misinformation surrounding the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is fueling violence against health workers and disrupting efforts to contain the disease, according to humanitarian organizations and medical officials.
One of the latest incidents occurred in Bunia, where Red Cross volunteer Daniel Uyirwoth Welo and three colleagues were attacked while transporting the body of an Ebola victim for a safe burial. Welo said they were assaulted by a crowd armed with tools, including spades and machetes, after false rumours spread that the coffin was empty and that Ebola was not real.
The attack reflects growing resistance to public health measures during the outbreak, which has infected more than 1,750 people and claimed around 600 lives since mid-May, according to official figures. Aid agencies say misinformation has led some communities to reject medical advice, interfere with burials and target healthcare workers.
Authorities and humanitarian organisations report that false claims circulating in affected areas include allegations that Ebola does not exist, that medical teams deliberately infect patients or remove organs, and that the response to the outbreak is driven by financial gain rather than public health.
Investigations have identified multiple incidents linked to these rumours, including attacks on treatment centres, assaults on health personnel and attempts to prevent the safe burial of Ebola victims. Health officials warn that many additional cases may never be reported because they occur in remote communities.
On 1 July, an Ebola treatment centre in Bafwabango, located in Ituri Province, was set on fire during unrest linked to the handling of a suspected Ebola victim’s body. Local reports also indicated that a police officer died during clashes connected to the incident.
Medical experts emphasize that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and that the bodies of those who die from the disease remain highly infectious. For that reason, specially trained teams carry out safe and dignified burials designed to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Despite these precautions, traditional funeral customs remain a major challenge. Many families wish to wash, touch or closely interact with the deceased as part of cultural and religious ceremonies, making it difficult for health workers to implement infection-control measures.
Health organisations say fear and misinformation have also discouraged some people from seeking treatment early. Some families reportedly avoid notifying authorities when relatives die from Ebola because they fear quarantine or believe treatment centres offer little chance of survival.
Recent community surveys in Ituri indicate that a significant number of residents still question the existence of Ebola, with some attributing illnesses to spiritual causes rather than a viral infection.
Experts believe decades of armed conflict, political instability and deep distrust of public institutions have contributed to skepticism toward government authorities and international health organisations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Public health officials stress that controlling the outbreak will depend not only on medical interventions but also on rebuilding confidence within affected communities. They warn that without public trust and cooperation, efforts to stop the spread of Ebola will remain extremely difficult.
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