Armed men attacked Wanamahika Hospital in Butembo, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and took away a six year old Ebola patient along with her mother. A local health official said the group appeared angry and used knives during the raid.
Health staff reported that they do not know if the attackers had any connection to the child. Authorities immediately started a search operation to locate both the patient and her mother.
Health officials warned that leaving treatment care could put the child at serious risk and may also increase the chance of spreading infection within the community.
Fear and mistrust around treatment centres
Health workers say fear and suspicion continue to surround Ebola treatment centres in the region.Local officials have repeatedly urged families to trust medical staff and allow patients to remain in care. They stress that stopping treatment early can worsen health outcomes and increase transmission risk.
Repeated attacks on health facilities
Ebola treatment centres in eastern DR Congo have faced several attacks during the current outbreak. In earlier incidents, angry groups attempted to recover bodies of relatives from health facilities, sometimes clashing with police.
Health teams say such actions make outbreak control more difficult and put both patients and workers in danger.
Outbreak situation and risks
The current Ebola outbreak in the region has reported hundreds of cases and nearly two hundred deaths. Health experts say there is currently no approved vaccine for this strain. They warn that vaccine development may take months.
International health bodies, including the World Health Organisation, have said the outbreak could become one of the largest in recent years if not controlled quickly.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention officials have raised concerns that the outbreak is expanding in an urban area with security challenges and active trade routes.
Experts say that weak tracing systems, combined with insecurity and public mistrust, increase the risk of further spread.
