The Democratic Republic of Congo has imposed a ban on mass gatherings in Kinshasa, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele as the government steps up efforts to contain the country’s latest Ebola outbreak.
Although no Ebola cases have been confirmed in Kinshasa, officials fear the virus could spread to the capital, home to nearly 18 million people. The restrictions were announced after a doctor who later tested positive for Ebola in France travelled through Kinshasa after working in one of the outbreak’s hotspots.
The Ebola outbreak remains concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with Ituri accounting for more than 90% of infections. Health authorities say confirmed cases have risen to 1,274, while the death toll has reached 360. Travellers leaving affected areas have also been placed under a 21-day quarantine.
The government’s decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which argue the ban is politically motivated. They claim it is designed to stop a planned protest on 8 July against a proposed law that critics say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to remain in office beyond his constitutional two-term limit.
The World Health Organization has warned that ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo is complicating efforts to contain the outbreak, while Africa CDC says trials for new antiviral drugs could begin this week. Uganda has also reported Ebola infections linked to the regional outbreak.
Health officials continue to urge vigilance as DR Congo works to contain one of its most serious Ebola outbreaks in recent years.
