Congo village chief fights Ebola stigma as outbreak toll climbs

Alphonse bin Kitobi Achou Taibo, the chief of Bapakombe-Bakondo, lost four relatives to Ebola after they resisted hospital care. His village sits on the outskirts of Beni in North Kivu province, a central area for the current outbreak in eastern Congo. The resistance stemmed from local beliefs that compared the virus to poison or evil spirits, delaying treatment for his family members.

Achou Taibo told The Associated Press that he realized the danger to his lineage quickly. Eleven other extended family members contracted the disease but survived after he secured their admission to the nearest hospital. The Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak has no approved vaccine or treatment. Response teams face armed conflict, poor infrastructure, and resident violence fueled by misinformation.

Data from Congo’s Ministry of Health shows the outbreak has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and 4,800 deaths. The disease has spread to four other African countries, with two currently active. Traditional medicine clinics in the region have compounded the crisis by attributing deaths to poisoning rather than Ebola, sometimes administering potions that worsened patients' conditions. This narrative persisted even after Achou Taibo’s cousin died in August and another fell ill during the funeral.

Local violence has intensified due to these beliefs. Young people in the neighborhood set fire to homes, accusing residents of witchcraft. Achou Taibo described the dominant mentality as driven by fear and misinformation. Health workers face similar hostility. Last Saturday, a nurse was killed and another injured while responding to an alert in Bafwasende, Tshopo province. WHO regional director Mohamed Yakub Janabi condemned the attack, stating that misinformation and fear must never fuel violence.

Tracing the virus remains difficult because more than 70% of new cases in early October fell outside known contact lists. At least 60% of deaths occurred outside treatment centers. Survivors often face rejection upon returning home. Zawadi Kavira Musubao, an Ebola survivor, was forced out of her home by her landlord after health workers disinfect the property. He claimed the operation brought evil spirits into the building. Musubao, who is currently unemployed, plans to start selling tomatoes and small fish to support herself.

Achou Taibo continues to urge residents to seek testing and admission when symptoms appear. He organizes food and financial support for those in need and addresses hostile crowds to explain the disease. He said he must speak fearlessly about the truth to counter the prevailing mistrust in his community.