Rioters in Congo attack an isolation clinic for Ebola cases.

The Ebola evaluation center that was attacked. BBC/Reuters. 

Rioters upset with a delay in an election attacked a processing center for suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. BBC. The attack happened in Beni, which is the center of the Ebola outbreak that has killed more than three hundred people. Beni, along with Butembo and Yumbi will have their elections delayed until March. The election has been delayed in part by the Ebola outbreak in Beni, but also due to poor security and rebel groups. All three cities are opposition strongholds. 21 people had been at the center and 17 had already tested negative for Ebola and were awaiting the 2nd test results. 4 others were awaiting test results. Only 11 of the patients have returned, though their names and addresses are known. 

My Comment:

What a mess in the Congo. I don't know much about the politics of this situation other than the fact that the Congo hasn't really had free and fair elections. It sure seems like the delay of the vote is politically motivated and it isn't a surprise that people are upset by it. Both the Ebola outbreak and the security situation are things that aren't likely to be better in March, so delaying the vote seems pointless. 

There is an argument to be made that you should cancel the vote just to make sure that Ebola doesn't spread further. I don't really buy that argument. If someone is sick enough that they are contagious with Ebola that means there is basically no way they are going to walk to a polling place. It's not a cold, you can't walk if off and it really isn't a threat unless people are sick enough that they are bleeding. 

The security problem is more valid but again, I don't see that getting better anytime soon. There are dozens of armed groups in the Congo and they won't just go away. Waiting a couple of months isn't likely to change anything. Just do the election and get it over with. My guess is that the government knows that if they count the votes from these cities their side will lose, so they are delaying to gain the advantage. Classic corruption. 

Of course the major story here isn't the politics, it is the threat this kind of action will pose. Thankfully, this was not a treatment facility. Instead it was a holding area where suspected cases were isolated and tested. It also looks like the vast majority of cases were probably false alarms and they were no danger to anyone. There are 4 possible cases where the test results aren't back yet but even then, unless the patients were leaking bodily fluids, there isn't much of a threat. 

The problem is that if they do start to develop symptoms they could be spreading it to others now. The patients are not in isolation and could spread the virus to their friends and family. That isn't too likely but it could be a few cases of Ebola that would not have happened otherwise. It does sound like the local medical authorities are on the ball and know where these people are. Plus many of the patients returned on their own, which is a good sign.

The most obvious negative outcome from this story is that it may discourage people from seeking treatment. There are treatments for Ebola that can save some of the people infected but even without that benefit, it is critical to isolate and contain suspected cases. If people are more scared of being attacked then they are of Ebola then they may stay home and spread their infection further. 

I do have to say that this was better than the incident during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak. In that case looters and rioters attacked an Ebola treatment facility that had active patients. The rioters stole quite a bit from that hospital including blood soaked mattresses and other contaminated items. Thankfully, this is not a repeat of that disaster. 

I can not understand either case though. Out of all the places to attack I think my last choice would be a place where there are Ebola patients. The disease is horrible and not something I would ever want to be exposed to. I am glad in this case it seems like it wasn't that bad but you still have to wonder what the thought process is in this situation.