The violence in the DRC threatens to turn the Ebola epidemic into a health disaster

The furious residents of the town of Mongbwalu, located in the epicenter of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attacked a medical center, setting fire to a tent intended for suspected and confirmed infected patients.

The incident, which occurred on Friday evening, led to the escape of 18 individuals suspected of infection, according to the director of the local hospital. He condemned the attack, emphasizing that it caused panic among the medical staff. This is the second similar incident in a week, after another center in Rwampara was set on fire. Authorities have banned large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus, and the burials of Ebola patients are monitored by law enforcement.

The World Health Organization has declared the epidemic to have a "very high" risk for the DRC, with 82 confirmed cases and 7 deaths, but it is estimated that the actual number of cases is much higher. The response to the epidemic must focus on building community trust, considering the difficulties faced by humanitarian teams.