Protests Ignite in DRC Amid Rising Ebola Tensions

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a tense situation unfolded when protesters set fire to Ebola treatment tents following a dispute over the burial of a suspected victim. The incident highlights the difficulties faced by authorities in managing safe burial practices crucial to preventing the virus’s spread.

In the Ituri province town of Rwampara, tensions flared as police resorted to firing warning shots and tear gas to disperse a crowd angered by the refusal to release the body of a popular local footballer for traditional burial. This area has been severely impacted by the current Ebola outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, which currently lacks a vaccine or approved treatment.

Bodies of Ebola victims remain highly contagious, and improper handling during funerals significantly contributes to transmission. The outbreak’s first known fatality occurred in Bunia on April 24, with the virus spreading when the body was exposed to mourners at a funeral in Mongbwalu.

Protesters burn tents receiving patients

Eli Munongo Wangu’s family rejected protocols for a safe burial, disputing the cause of death as Ebola and sought to claim the body. Despite their protests, the burial proceeded overnight. Munongo, a notable figure due to his involvement with local football teams, was admitted to the hospital days prior. Medical sources identified him as a suspected Ebola case pending test results, though his mother believed typhoid was the cause.

Amidst community tensions, efforts to reclaim the body were thwarted by guidelines ensuring Ebola victims receive secure burials, noted Jean-Claude Mukendi, a senior police officer overseeing security in Ituri.

At the scene, soldiers initially attempted to calm the situation before police intervened with tear gas and warning shots. Witnesses reported subsequent fires, with protesters torching two medical tents operated by ALIMA. Authorities managed to restore order, although the destruction included a body awaiting burial. Patients housed in the tents are receiving care in a nearby hospital, ALIMA stated.

Contact tracing after patients flee

Local chief Batakura Zamundu Mugeni stated that officials are coordinating contact tracing for potentially exposed individuals who fled amid the chaos.

Mukendi attributed the unrest to misinformation among youth regarding the severity of Ebola. Historically, such distrust has hampered Ebola containment, exemplified by the 2018-2020 outbreak in North Kivu, which led to attacks on numerous health facilities and resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths.

As of Thursday, the current outbreak, declared by the Congolese government, counts 670 suspected cases with 160 potential deaths, per Health Ministry reports. The national football team has adjusted their World Cup preparations, relocating activities to Belgium in response to travel restrictions imposed by the U.S.