President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced plans to visit Ituri Province, the center of the country’s recent Ebola outbreak. Tshisekedi expressed his intention to personally oversee the response efforts during a joint press conference with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who chairs the African Union.
Following a meeting of the national Ebola response task force in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi highlighted the importance of the briefing, which provided a comprehensive update on the epidemiological situation and the ongoing response strategies in the DRC. The current Ebola outbreak, attributed to the Bundibugyo strain, has affected the conflict-ridden eastern regions, with 1,048 confirmed cases and 267 fatalities reported by Congolese authorities.
To combat the outbreak, Tshisekedi emphasized the collaborative efforts involving health authorities, local communities, and national as well as international partners. Stressing the need for regional cooperation in disease prevention and surveillance, he underscored the significance of unified action against health threats that transcend borders.
President Ndayishimiye expressed solidarity with the DRC and urged African nations and the global community to maintain open borders and work collectively to address the epidemic. Emphasizing preparedness and coordination, he disclosed that Burundi had implemented preventive measures in collaboration with Congolese authorities, instead of closing its border with the DRC.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Ituri as the primary focus of the outbreak, with additional cases reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The WHO has cautioned that challenges such as insecurity, population displacement, and operational limitations continue to impede containment efforts, necessitating enhanced surveillance and response activities.
