A politician in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been beaten to death after speaking about the Ebola virus and urging residents to take the disease seriously.
Marie-Celestin Karondwa, a member of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), was attacked on Sunday by residents in Butembo, North Kivu province, according to his party.
The UDPS said Karondwa was beaten during the attack, while his belongings were stolen and his house was subsequently set on fire.
The party said the politician was targeted after defending its position on the existence of Ebola and the threat posed by the disease to communities.
Karondwa had reportedly discussed Ebola awareness during a radio interview before the attack.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks linked to mistrust and misinformation surrounding the Ebola outbreak in the country.
Health workers and response teams have faced hostility and violence in affected communities, while some healthcare facilities have also been attacked and set ablaze.
Authorities and health agencies have continued efforts to contain the outbreak and encourage residents to seek medical attention when symptoms emerge.
More than 8,000 Ebola cases have reportedly been confirmed in the DRC since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, with close to 4,000 deaths recorded.
The attacks have raised concerns over the challenges facing health workers and officials attempting to contain the outbreak amid persistent distrust in some affected communities.
