The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues as country health officials report more cases and deaths.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

The DRC Ministry of Health (MOH) is now reporting 923 cumulative cases, with new cases reported in new confirmed cases Butembo and Biena, and 582 deaths.

Health workers are also plagued with resistance from communities, violence from mobs and armed groups.

The MOH reports that a team of three epidemiologists had entered the Kighali village to investigate. On site, they had met with fierce reluctance from the community and were seriously injured by the angry mob.

In addition, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited an Ebola treatment centre in Butembo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that was attacked by armed groups.

“It breaks my heart to think of the health workers injured and police officer who died in today’s attack, as we continue to mourn those who died in previous attacks, while defending the right to health,” said Dr Tedros. “But we have no choice except to continue serving the people here, who are among the most vulnerable in the world.”


“These are not attacks BY the community, they are attacks ON the community.”

WHO has requested and received further support from UN and local police forces to protect the treatment centres.