Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say repeated assaults on Ebola response teams are undermining efforts to contain a growing outbreak that has spread across multiple provinces.
Health officials reported that a burial team operating in Katana, South Kivu Province, came under attack while attempting to carry out a safe and dignified burial under Ebola control protocols.
The incident forced responders to abandon their work, after which community members handled the body themselves.
Medical authorities warned that such actions significantly increase infection risks, as Ebola remains highly contagious after death.
The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which has been detected across several affected areas.
In a separate incident in Bunia, Ituri Province, an Ebola response team was also attacked at a cemetery, leaving at least four people injured, according to health officials.
Authorities said suspicion and resistance from some communities continue to hinder containment efforts.
The health ministry reported that the country has recorded hundreds of confirmed cases and dozens of deaths since the outbreak was declared in May, with new infections still emerging across multiple health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.
Despite the challenges, officials noted progress in monitoring contacts and discharging recovered patients after successful isolation periods. Some individuals traced as contacts have completed observation without developing symptoms.
The outbreak now the 17th recorded in the country continues to test public health systems as responders balance medical containment efforts with rising community
