Health personnel fighting the spread of Ebola came under attack in Bafwasende in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A nurse died, while a second medical worker was hospitalized with serious injuries. Other members of the team spent the night inside a hospital under police protection because they feared returning home.

The local branch of the DRC Health Ministry confirmed the death on October 26. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported the incident on Monday, October 26. Officials also told Reuters that teenagers had previously assaulted another doctor and set fire to his home, although they did not provide a date for that attack.

UN Ebola coordinator Julien Harneis condemned the violence, offered condolences to the victim’s family and urged local authorities to strengthen security for medical staff. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said those protecting communities from the deadly disease must be able to perform their duties safely and with dignity.

The DRC outbreak began in May and remained active at the time of the report. By October 23, authorities had confirmed 9,964 infections, with 48.6% of patients dying. It was described as the largest recorded Ebola outbreak in the country, while neighboring Uganda had brought transmission under control after rapidly imposing quarantine and border restrictions.