Ebola in Lubero: Two health facilities remain closed in Alimbongo after health workers are infected

Two health facilities in the Alimbongo health zone, the Kitsombiro reference health centre and Kasingiri health centre, remain closed after health workers contracted Ebola. Two additional cases were confirmed among quarantined staff, bringing the zone’s tally to 19 cases as of October 22, including 14 deaths, three patients reported as having escaped, and two active cases. More than 50 health workers had contact with the first nine confirmed cases, and a 21-day observation period is planned before any reopening decision. Colonel Kiwewa Mitela Alain cited community resistance, a lack of logistical and financial resources, and the presence of the former AFC/M23 as obstacles to the response.