A senior member of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s ruling party was beaten to death on Sunday after appearing on a radio programme to raise awareness about the Ebola outbreak, according to his party.

Marie-Celestin Karondwa, the acting president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party’s federal executive committee in Butembo, a new hotspot for the outbreak, was attacked after participating in a radio show where he promoted prevention measures for the disease. The UDPS federation in the city released a statement via Reuters detailing the incident.

The party stated that attackers beat Karondwa, stole his belongings, and set his house on fire. He later succumbed to his injuries. The identities of the attackers, their numbers, and the specific motives behind the assault remain unclear. However, the party asserted that Karondwa was “an innocent victim for having defended the party’s position on the existence of the Ebola virus disease… and the threat it poses to the population”.

Karondwa’s death occurs amidst a pattern of attacks targeting healthcare workers and treatment centers. Experts attribute these incidents to rumors, misinformation about the disease, and a general distrust of health responders. These attacks have manifested as violence, riots, property damage, and disruptions to essential services.

Just one day prior, on Saturday, armed assailants attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in the nearby Beni territory. A local civil society group reported that at least one person was killed and several others were wounded during this incident. Such events underscore the volatile environment surrounding the Ebola response in the region.

Ebola, first identified in 1976 in what is now the DRC, is a highly contagious and often fatal viral illness affecting both humans and non-human primates. Transmission occurs through bodily fluids or contaminated materials, leading to symptoms such as organ damage and severe internal bleeding.

The ongoing outbreak has been particularly challenging in areas like Butembo, where community engagement and trust-building are critical for containment efforts. The violence against Karondwa, who was actively promoting public health messages, highlights the deep-seated mistrust that hinders the effectiveness of public health interventions.

Officials and health organizations continue to grapple with strategies to counter misinformation and build confidence among affected populations, emphasizing the importance of accurate information and community collaboration in combating the spread of the virus.