The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has strongly condemned the recent attack and destruction of a treatment facility serving communities affected by the Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The agency described the incident as a serious setback to outbreak containment efforts and warned that violence against health infrastructure, patients, healthcare workers, and emergency response teams undermines public health security and places already vulnerable communities at greater risk.
Rising Fear, Misinformation, and Community Tensions
Africa CDC noted that outbreaks such as the Bundibugyo Virus Disease often trigger fear, uncertainty, and social disruption among affected populations. Families, it said, are understandably concerned about safety, livelihoods, and the impact of public health interventions on daily life in affected areas such as Ituri Province.
The agency emphasized that these concerns are legitimate and must be addressed through empathy, transparent communication, continuous dialogue, and sustained community engagement.
According to Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya, communities must remain central to outbreak response efforts.
“Communities are not the enemy in an outbreak response. Fear, misinformation, mistrust, and lack of engagement are often the greatest barriers to controlling disease outbreaks,” he said. “Our responsibility is to listen, engage honestly, build trust, and work alongside communities at every step.”
Attacks on Health Facilities Undermine Outbreak Control
The agency warned that attacks on treatment centres weaken the overall response system by disrupting care delivery, surveillance, contact tracing, and infection prevention efforts. These facilities are essential for isolating infected patients and preventing further transmission.
When destroyed or disrupted, outbreaks become significantly harder to contain, frontline health workers face increased danger, and communities lose access to life-saving services.
Africa CDC also expressed concern that misinformation and mistrust could evolve into a parallel crisis alongside the outbreak itself, complicating containment efforts.
Lessons from Past Outbreaks
The agency referenced lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks in the region, including the 2018–2020 North Kivu outbreak, noting that technical response measures alone are insufficient without strong community trust and participation.
Effective outbreak control, it stressed, depends on building cooperation between responders and local communities, ensuring accurate information flows, and addressing fears that fuel resistance.
Signs of Progress and Community Resilience
Despite current challenges, Africa CDC highlighted encouraging developments, including the recent discharge of Ebola survivors in Bunia. These recoveries are being seen as a strong signal of hope and proof that early detection and quality care save lives.
Survivors, the agency noted, play a crucial role in community engagement by sharing lived experiences, addressing misconceptions, and encouraging timely health-seeking behavior.
In addition, the training and deployment of Community Health Workers is expected to strengthen surveillance systems, improve infection prevention and control, and enhance grassroots awareness efforts.
Strengthening RCCE and Community Trust
Africa CDC reaffirmed that Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) remains a core pillar of its outbreak response strategy. The agency is intensifying support to national authorities through community engagement, behavioural insights, social listening, and rumour management to address misinformation and improve public understanding.
It further committed to mobilising technical and operational support to strengthen local coordination mechanisms and sustain dialogue between health responders, community leaders, and affected populations.
Call for Protection and Solidarity
Africa CDC called on all stakeholders to respect and protect healthcare workers, health facilities, and affected communities in line with humanitarian and public health principles.
It urged continued engagement with dignity, cultural sensitivity, transparency, and compassion, while reaffirming solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they work to contain the outbreak and protect public health under difficult circumstances.
