The media reported the escape of 18 Ebola-infected people from a medical center in the DRC after arson

After the attack and arson of a medical center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 18 people with suspected Ebola infection fled the scene. This was reported by the Associated Press (AP) on May 23.

"According to preliminary data, no one was injured, but when patients ran out to escape the fire, 18 people with suspected Ebola infection left the facility and are now missing," Dr. Richard Lokudi, director of the Mongbwalu Hospital, told the agency.

It is noted that angry locals broke into a clinic in the city and set fire to a tent that the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders used to house patients with suspected Ebola and a confirmed diagnosis.

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CNN reported on May 22 that protesters set fire to an Ebola treatment center in the eastern part of the DRC. According to the TV channel, tension arose after the death of a young man from an illness. His relatives tried to forcibly remove his body from the hospital. After health officials refused to provide access to the body, family members began throwing various objects into hospital tents, which started a fire.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an Ebola epidemic in the DRC and Uganda on May 15. The number of suspected Ebola deaths later rose to 139, and the number is expected to increase.