Three fires at Ebola centers linked to burial disputes; Bill Gates falsely blamed online

Three separate incidents of arson targeting Ebola treatment centers have occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within a single week, sparking a wave of misinformation online. These attacks are reportedly fueled by local anger over the inability to retrieve bodies of Ebola victims for burial due to the virus's continued activity after death.

One incident on May 22 involved the torching of a tent at a health center treating Ebola patients. While no one was injured in the fire itself, 18 individuals suspected of having Ebola fled the facility amidst the chaos, according to local hospital director Dr. Richard Lokudi. This event has been falsely linked online to philanthropist Bill Gates, with claims that he is spreading a "man-made" Ebola virus and that the DRC residents set the tent ablaze demanding he leave the country.

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The tent was set on fire by enraged DRC residents demanding that philanthropist Bill Gates leave the country, claiming he is spreading the "man-made" Ebola virus.

The previous day, May 21, a group of DRC residents set fire to an Ebola treatment center in the town of Rwampara. The motive behind this attack was the denial of access to the remains of a relative who had died from Ebola. Families wishing to bury their loved ones according to tradition were reportedly enraged when denied permission due to the hazardous nature of the virus post-mortem.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease transmitted to humans from wild animals. It spreads between people through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an average case fatality rate of about 50%, with previous outbreaks ranging from 25% to 90%. The fires in the DRC are unrelated to Bill Gates or any alleged artificial creation of the virus.

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The body of the deceased could not be obtained by family members because the Ebola virus is dangerous even after the death of the infected person.