Ebola misinformation is fuelling attacks on health workers in DR Congo

July 9, 2026 - 06:33

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo -- A surge of misinformation about the Ebola virus is being blamed for a wave of attacks on health workers and treatment centers in the eastern part of the country. False claims circulating in communities have led to assaults on medical staff, arson at treatment facilities, and violent disruptions of safe burial practices.

Local authorities report that rumors suggesting the virus does not exist, or that health workers are deliberately spreading the disease for financial gain, have taken hold in several remote areas. These falsehoods have fueled deep mistrust, prompting armed groups and angry mobs to target Ebola response teams. In recent weeks, at least two treatment centers were ransacked, forcing the temporary suspension of critical vaccination and contact tracing efforts.

The violence has also interfered with the safe burial of Ebola victims, a key measure to prevent further transmission. Traditional burial customs, which involve close contact with the deceased, have been forcibly resumed in some communities, increasing the risk of infection. Health officials warn that the combination of misinformation and direct attacks is undermining years of progress in containing the outbreak. The World Health Organization has called for increased community engagement to counter the false narratives, but security concerns remain high as response teams struggle to operate in a hostile environment.