KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — A nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured in an attack while responding to an Ebola alert in north-eastern DR Congo, BBC News reported on Monday.
Local youths accused the two of contaminating water sources and spreading the virus, according to the UN-backed Radio Okapi. The World Health Organization condemned the attack. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health workers “must be able to carry out their duties in safety and dignity,” as quoted by BBC News.
More than 4,800 people have died and nearly 10,000 have been infected in DR Congo since the outbreak began in May. The Bundibugyo strain behind it is relatively rare, and there is still no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Neighboring Uganda has banned all non-essential travel to and from DR Congo. Returning Ugandans will be quarantined for 21 days at their own cost. Only aid workers, truck drivers, security personnel and other essential travelers may cross, subject to strict screening.
The move follows Kenya’s and Nigeria’s first cases, both in travelers who passed through Uganda’s Entebbe airport. The Nigerian patient was flown to Switzerland for treatment on Monday. Kenya has confirmed eight more cases since a businessman arriving from DR Congo died in Nairobi.
Sources: BBC News
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