ICN warns health misinformation is fueling deadly risks for nurses in DRC

The International Council of Nurses condemned the killing of a nurse and the serious injury of another health worker during an Ebola alert response in Bafwasende, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ICN said the attack shows how misinformation, violence and lack of protection are putting nurses at growing risk and called for stronger safeguards, equipment and accountability.

Why it matters: - A nurse was killed and another health worker was seriously injured while responding to an Ebola alert in Bafwasende, Tshopo province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. - ICN said the incident shows how health misinformation, eroding trust in science and violence in conflict settings are becoming deadly threats for nurses and other health workers. - The warning comes as nurses continue to face shortages of personal protective equipment while responding to infectious diseases.

What happened: - The International Council of Nurses expressed condolences after the fatal attack on a nurse and the injury of another health worker in Bafwasende. - ICN said the workers were responding to an Ebola alert when the attack occurred. - Howard Catton, ICN chief executive officer, said health misinformation and the breakdown of trust in science are now a deadly risk to nurses and other health workers.

The details: - ICN said nurses are among the most trusted professionals and are essential sources of reliable health information. - ICN said misinformation can weaken that trust and expose health workers to hostility and violence. - The organization said violence during outbreaks can also stem from fear, longstanding mistrust and communities feeling excluded from decisions. - ICN said effective outbreak responses must involve communities as partners and support local leadership and shared ownership of protective measures. - ICN said the danger is compounded by deliberate military targeting of health workers and facilities in conflict zones. - As a founding member of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, ICN has repeatedly condemned attacks on healthcare and called for respect for international humanitarian law and accountability for violations. - ICN said nurses responding to infectious diseases still face unacceptable shortages of PPE. - ICN said it has previously warned about inadequate protection for nurses responding to Ebola and about repeating failures seen during COVID-19. - ICN said immediate access to PPE, training and support remains urgent. - ICN also called for the WHO Pandemic Agreement to be finalized and made operational. - Through #NursesforPeace, ICN is supporting the Ordre National des Infirmiers du Congo to strengthen nurse protection and the Ebola response. - That support includes training in infection prevention and control, early detection and community engagement.

Between the lines: - The statement links three pressures at once: misinformation, conflict-related attacks and weak protection for frontline workers. - ICN is arguing that public health response is not only a medical issue, but also a trust and security issue. - The emphasis on community partnership suggests ICN sees local engagement as essential to preventing violence and improving outbreak response.

What's next: - ICN is calling for action to counter health misinformation, protect health workers and facilities from violence, and ensure nurses have the equipment and support needed to work safely. - The organization is also pushing for the WHO Pandemic Agreement to move from negotiation to implementation. - ICN will continue working with Congo's nursing leadership through #NursesforPeace to support protection and Ebola response efforts.

The bottom line: - ICN says protecting nurses now requires more than sympathy after attacks; it requires trust-building, safer workplaces and stronger international action.