Police Fire Shots to Disperse Crowds at Ebola Centre in DR Congo
Police in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) fired shots into the air after angry crowds attempted to reclaim the bodies of relatives who had died at an Ebola treatment centre in Mongwalu, according to two local journalists who spoke to the BBC.
The unrest on Sunday persisted throughout the day, the reporters added.
The treatment centre, located within a hospital compound, was the same site targeted overnight from Friday to Saturday when an isolation tent was set on fire.
The bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious and can facilitate further virus transmission if prepared for burial without proper precautions.
Officials report more than 900 suspected Ebola cases and 220 suspected deaths in the current outbreak.
Dr Richard Lokudu, medical director of Mongwalu General Hospital, told the Associated Press that attackers on Sunday demanded the release of two deceased individuals' bodies to their families.
"The hospital was placed on general alert," Dr Lokudu said.
Distrust towards authorities and scepticism about the causes of death have fostered deep suspicion among some communities affected by Ebola.
On Thursday, in Rwampara—85km southeast of Mongwalu and another area with concentrated cases—crowds set fire to isolation tents after being prevented from taking the body of a man suspected to have died from Ebola for burial.
Red Cross volunteers conduct safe burials under police protection to prevent further spread of the virus.
Three Red Cross volunteers have died from suspected Ebola infections likely contracted while handling deceased bodies, the organisation reported.
Regional Coordination and New Cases in Uganda
Over the weekend, health ministers from DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan finalised cross-border coordination efforts in response to the outbreak, alongside the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
On Monday, Uganda confirmed two new Ebola cases, both health workers, increasing its total infections to seven. The patients are receiving treatment, and contact tracing is underway, according to Uganda's health ministry.
Africa CDC has warned that other African countries—including Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia—are at risk of Ebola outbreaks.
Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC's director-general, announced plans to hold a meeting on Monday with "all African leaders" to provide guidance.
"Our plan addresses avoiding waste, isolating and managing cases, and ensuring people have dignified funerals," Dr Kaseya said in an interview with BBC World Service's Newsday.
He also stated that DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan agreed on a $319 million (£236 million) budget to contain the outbreak.
Regarding funding, Dr Kaseya noted that so far, affected countries have secured only 10% of the required amount.
On Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged $5 million in solidarity.
Dr Kaseya added that African business leaders will meet in Lagos on 29 May to raise additional funds, while international partners such as the US, UK, European Union, and World Bank are also committing resources.
Details of the Outbreak and Challenges
Africa CDC declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's Ituri province on 15 May. This marks the country's 17th Ebola outbreak.
Days later, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus, which had not been detected for over a decade.
Currently, there are no vaccines or medications specifically targeting Bundibugyo, complicating treatment efforts.
Last week, WHO indicated that a vaccine could take up to nine months to develop.
In addition to Ituri, cases have been reported in DR Congo's North and South Kivu provinces, which border Rwanda.
Parts of these eastern provinces are controlled by the rebel group M23, whose clashes with government forces have further complicated the response to the virus.
For more news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com.
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