UN says armed attacks in eastern Congo kill Ebola responders

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Armed groups have attacked and killed Ebola response workers in eastern Congo, World Health Organization chief said Thursday, an alarming development that could cause waning outbreak to again pick up momentum.

“We are heartbroken that our worst fears have been realized,” Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said on Twitter. He did t say how many people were killed in attacks in Biakato Mines and Mangina. Ors were wounded, he said.

This is t first time that health workers trying to contain second-worst Ebola outbreak in history have been targeted. Some have called this outbreak more complicated than any or, comparing environment to a war zone. Several rebel groups are active in region.

latest attacks come after days of dely unrest in city of Beni, where residents outrd by repeated rebel attacks stormed local United Nations peacekeeping base, demanding more protection.

Ebola response work was put on lockdown in Beni, dismaying health experts who say every attack hurts crucial efforts to contain dely virus.

number of cases h been dropping in yearlong outbreak which has killed more than 2,100 people. Several days this month, zero cases were reported.

___

Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa