Nurse killed, health worker injured in attack on Ebola responders in eastern Congo A nurse was killed and a health worker severely injured in an attack on Ebola responders in Bafwasende, Tshopo province, as violence and misinformation hamper efforts to contain the world's fastest-growing Ebola outbreak. A nurse was killed and a health worker severely injured after being attacked while responding to an Ebola alert in Congo, according to the World Health Organization. The attack happened Saturday in the town of Bafwasende in eastern Tshopo province. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X on Sunday that the responders were attacked while doing their work. Local authorities have not yet commented on the attack or named any suspects. Tedros condemned the violence and called for the protection of health workers.He said everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety, and that healthcare must always be protected. WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, also condemned the attack on X. He said misinformation and fear must never fuel violence. The attack is the latest in a series of assaults on health workers and responders.Deadliest Ebola Outbreak in Congo HistoryAuthorities say the violence is hampering efforts to slow the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the world. The country's health ministry's most recent data indicates more than 9,800 cases including more than 4,700 deaths have been recorded since the start of the outbreak in May. That makes it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in Congo's history.The outbreak in the DRC could become the deadliest ever, according to Kyle Matthew of the Institute of Global Security, who explained why it is a worst-case scenario. Last month, a Congolese politician was beaten to death in North Kivu after publicly defending the government's response to Ebola. He had been calling on the public to obey response measures, particularly social distancing and handwashing, on a radio show.Village Centered Approach Faces Community ResistanceIt came after authorities launched a village-centered approach to fight the outbreak which faced resistance from some residents who dismiss Ebola as a hoax. There is widespread distrust of the country's government because of how it has managed past Ebola outbreaks as well as chronic corruption. Responders say skepticism about the disease among communities has complicated efforts to work with residents, including in remote areas and emerging hot spots that already face shortages of medical supplies and healthcare workers.Back in May at the start of the outbreak, two tents at health centers were set alight in two separate attacks in just one week by angry residents. Those on the front line of the response to the outbreak have previously said some members of various response teams have been held captive in some health zones, and some teams responsible for safe and dignified burials have been threatened.Violence Intensifies Concerns for Health TeamsThe violence has intensified concerns about the ability of health teams to reach communities in need. The attack on Saturday underscores the dangers faced by those working to contain the virus in an environment of mistrust and misinformation. Authorities have not announced any arrests or identified suspects in the Bafwasende attack. The health worker who was severely injured is receiving treatment, though further details on their condition were not immediately available.The WHO and local partners continue to call for calm and cooperation with response efforts. Officials stress that protecting health workers is essential to stopping the outbreak and saving lives in affected communities. Reporting by Sebastien Kitsa Musayi, The Associated Press.