DR Congo Ebola centre attacks could force retreat against the deadly disease, warns UN health chief.

Attacks on Ebola treatment centres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), risk reversing the gains made during the current outbreak in the north-east of the country, the head of the UN health agency said on Thursday.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva amid reports of a fresh attack just hours earlier on a facility in Biena health zone, close to Butembo, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained that the deadly disease is just one of many concerns for local people.

'These attacks could reverse the gains we have made,' the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General said. 'We are working to find a balance between protecting patients and staff from attacks by armed groups and building community trust and ownership. It's not a simple either/or situation; we must do both to end the outbreak.'

If confirmed, Thursday morning's attack would be the fourth on treatment or transit facilities, in the last two weeks. It follows the death of an individual in the community which led to 'escalating violence' and the local Ebola transit centre being 'severely damaged', Mr. Tedros said.

Hailing the bravery and commitment of those responding to the Ebola threat, the WHO Director-General added that there were scant details beyond what was already known about the latest attack.

'We have not had reports of health workers or patients injured, but we're awaiting more information,' he said.

Last Saturday, the health chief visited a health centre in Butembo hours after it was attacked for the second time, leaving a police officer dead and medical staff injured.

Of the more than 100 armed groups active in north-eastern DRC, Mr. Tedros cited the Mai-Mai and the Allied Democratic Forces as potentially responsible.

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