Machete Attack Kills Nurse Responding to Ebola Alert in Eastern Congo, WHO Says

• by Shimanta Das
• October 28, 2026

BUTEMBO, Congo (AP) — A nurse was killed and a health worker severely injured after being attacked while responding to an Ebola alert in Congo, according to the World Health Organization. The attack occurred on Saturday in the town of Bafwasende in the country’s eastern Tshopo province, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X on Sunday. The victims were reportedly set upon by a group of young people armed with machetes and batons as they were raising awareness about the Ebola outbreak. The nurse was described as experienced, while the injured health worker was a teacher.

It was the latest in a series of attacks on health workers and responders that authorities say is hampering efforts to slow the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the world. The assault underscores the dangerous conditions faced by those working to contain the disease in a region where community distrust and violence have complicated response efforts. Health teams often encounter resistance when trying to educate communities about Ebola prevention and to trace contacts of infected individuals.

The attack in Bafwasende is part of a troubling pattern. Several other attacks on health workers and responders have been reported in recent weeks, according to authorities, who warn that such violence is undermining the fight against the outbreak. The WHO has repeatedly called for the protection of health workers and for community engagement to build trust. The Ebola outbreak in Congo has been declared the fastest-growing in the world, with cases recorded in several African countries, heightening concerns about regional spread.

Local officials and international organizations have condemned the attack and urged communities to cooperate with health teams. The WHO has emphasized that attacks on health workers not only cost lives but also delay critical interventions that can save thousands. As responders continue their efforts, the need for security and community support has never been more urgent. The identity of the attackers and their motives remain unclear, but the incident highlights the challenges of combating Ebola in a volatile environment. Authorities are investigating the attack and have vowed to bring those responsible to justice.