Six‑Year‑Old Ebola Patient Safe After Hospital Attack

Fri Jun 19 2026 20:19:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A child rescued after armed men seized her from DR Congo hospital is now stable, amid escalating outbreaks and attacks on treatment centres.

The six‑year‑old patient, taken from a hospital in Butembo by hostile men, has been located and is now stable, according to local health officials. The event highlights the danger faced by treatment centres as community fears and violence threaten Ebola response efforts. The outbreak in eastern DR Congo, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, has already caused more than 230 deaths and 890 confirmed cases, with 75 health workers infected. International agencies such as the WHO and Africa CDC are allocating significant funds, but the ongoing conflict hampers containment.

Six‑Year‑Old Ebola Patient Safe After Hospital Attack

Healthcare workers in front of an ambulance, wearing masks and gloves — Image credit: Reuters

A six‑year‑old girl with Ebola was taken from a hospital in the eastern city of Butembo by armed men. The incident happened two days ago and raised alarms about the safety of patients and staff.

Health official Dr Lubambo Maboko Gaston confirmed that the child and her mother were later found at an Ebola treatment centre about 18 kilometres outside Butembo. The girl’s condition is described as stable and she is now recovering, according to local authorities.

The attacks on hospitals during the outbreak are part of a larger pattern of violence, with crowds once firing shots into the air after attempting to reclaim bodies, and an earlier incident of burning isolation tents in Rwampara. Such aggression heightens the risk of further transmission when bodies of patients are handled without proper safety measures.

The current outbreak, declared on 15 May, is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine and may take months before a new jab becomes available. At the time of reporting, it has produced more than 230 confirmed deaths and 890 cases across provinces of Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu.

World Health Organization officials have reported that 75 health workers have contracted Ebola during this outbreak, with 17 fatalities among them. The WHO pledged $3.9 million to support containment efforts, while Africa CDC announced a $319 million budget for response and coordination.

Public trust remains a challenge; some community members believe that hospitals and NGOs are creating cases for profit. The M23 rebel group controls large parts of North and South Kivu, complicating efforts to reach affected populations.

Local nurses and doctors continue to work under intense pressure, highlighting the need for stronger protective protocols and transparent communication to end the outbreak and restore safety for all patients and caregivers.