Ebola Centre Attacked Killed As Outbreak Continues in DRC

As the Ebola outbreak continues in DRC police and soldiers have taken down an assailant involved in an attempted attack on a treatment centre in the country.

According to the Mayor of Butembo, Sylvain Kanyamanda, the individual has been identified as a member of the Mai-Mai rebel group. Kanyamanda also stated that security forces were able to prevent attackers from breaching the perimeter surrounding the centre.

The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 1,100 people since August 2018, with a further 500 infected. Conflict in the affected regions continues to impede efforts to contain the outbreak, which has marked a recent increase in cases. 298 new cases of Ebola were confirmed between 15 April and 5 May alone. Yet rebels have been burning down and attacking health centres and treatment units. WHO epidemiologist Dr Richard Mouzoko was attacked and killed by armed men as he worked in the affected areas.