Armed men stormed a hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, searching for a six-year-old boy who had tested positive for Ebola. The attack, which took place in the city of Beni, has raised fears that efforts to contain the latest outbreak are being sabotaged by violence and distrust.
Witnesses said a group of men, some carrying machetes and guns, forced their way into the Ebola treatment centre. They demanded to know the whereabouts of the child, who had been admitted days earlier. The attackers reportedly threatened staff and patients before fleeing when security forces arrived. No injuries were reported, but the incident has prompted the hospital to move the boy to a secret location for his safety.
The World Health Organization confirmed the attack, calling it a "dangerous escalation" in a region already plagued by conflict. The DRC's health ministry said the boy's family had been threatened by community members who believe the disease is a fabrication or a plot by foreign powers. This belief, fuelled by years of war and misinformation, has led to previous attacks on health workers. In 2019, over a dozen Ebola centres were attacked, forcing the WHO to suspend operations temporarily.
The latest outbreak, declared in April, has seen 12 confirmed cases and six deaths. The virus has emerged in North Kivu province, a region where armed groups have fought for decades, and where mistrust of authorities runs deep. Many locals fear that Ebola response teams are linked to the military or political rivals. "We cannot vaccinate or treat people if they are hiding from us," said a WHO spokesperson. "This incident is a stark reminder that the fight against Ebola is not just medical but also a battle for trust."
The boy, who is believed to have contracted the virus from a relative, has been receiving experimental treatments. Medical staff say his condition is stable but that the trauma of the attack could hamper his recovery. "He is just a child. He needs care, not fear," said a nurse at the centre.
The government has deployed additional police to protect health facilities. But with elections approaching and security forces stretched thin, experts warn that a wider outbreak is possible. "Each time we see violence, we risk losing control," said Dr. John Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. "We must engage communities, address their grievances, and protect health workers at all costs."
The attack comes as the DRC fights multiple health crises, including measles and COVID-19. The country has been praised for its rapid response to Ebola, using experimental vaccines and treatments. But the resilience of the health system is being tested. "We are in a race against time," said a local health official. "And fear is our biggest opponent."
