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The killer virus is currently sweeping across the Congo, with the number of cases dramatically increasing in the past month.

But attempts by health officials to stop the spread of the disease have been made even more difficult by conflicts with poor communities.

As well as reports of infected people trying to escape facilities where they are being treated, there have also been incidents of health workers being attacked and infected bodies being taken by grieving relatives.

Just this week, the family of one deceased Ebola victim stole the hearse containing the body after they were told they would have to wear protective clothing at the funeral.

Congo’s health ministry said the vehicle drove off “at full speed” and was later found a local cemetery containing the family’s burial plot.

The ministry later said the family promised they had not touched the corpse and agreed to have Ebola vaccinations.

The incidents are linked to a growing distrust among locals about health officials trying to stem the spread of the disease.

Patrick Kyana, a resident from the north-eastern city Beni, said: “Until now we didn’t know enough about Ebola and we felt marginalised when Red Cross agents came in and took the corpse and buried it without family members playing a role.

“It’s very difficult. Imagine that your son dies and someone refuses to let you assist in his burial. In Africa, we respect death greatly.”

(Image: GETTY)

(Image: GETTY) (Image: GETTY)

Up until very recently, there were even rumours in Beni that Ebola doesn’t exist at all and reports of it were part of a Government plot to delay the presidential elections.

Jamie LeSueur, who is head of emergency Ebola operations with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said there have been a number of reports of medics being attacked by angry locals.

He added: “It raised a lot of questions for all of us. Where is the violence coming from?

“Of course there are limitations – some people like to view the corpse as it is buried but with Ebola it is difficult to open up the body bag.”