Ebola health workers face resistance in DRC Camps

Health workers battling the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are facing growing resistance in displacement camps, complicating efforts to trace contacts and contain the spread of the virus.

The challenge has become particularly evident in the Kpangba displacement camp in Ituri Province, where authorities recently recorded the first Ebola-related deaths in the settlement. Medical teams from the provincial health ministry, the World Health Organisation, and humanitarian agencies moved into the camp to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

However, according to Jean-Claude Lonzama, chief doctor of the Nizi health zone, some residents rejected claims that the victims died from Ebola and prevented health workers from carrying out contact-tracing activities. The resistance has raised concerns among health officials, who consider early identification of contacts essential to breaking chains of transmission.

The outbreak is unfolding in a region already affected by years of armed conflict and mass displacement. Aid agencies warn that overcrowded living conditions, poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare could accelerate the spread of the virus if containment efforts are disrupted.

Health officials say misinformation and distrust remain major obstacles to the response. Community engagement teams have intensified awareness campaigns to encourage residents to cooperate with medical workers and report suspected cases.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation in displacement camps across Ituri Province as efforts to contain the outbreak remain ongoing.

SOURCE: Reuters