DR Congo halts boat over suspected Ebola case near Kinshasa
- A passenger boat was halted near Kinshasa over a suspected Ebola case.
- The outbreak in eastern DR Congo has killed over 1,700 people.
- WHO chief visited Congo as some health workers strike over pay.
Boat halted at river port
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have stopped a passenger boat just outside the capital Kinshasa after a suspected case of Ebola was reported on board. The vessel, which was travelling along the Congo River, was intercepted at a port on the outskirts of the city, according to officials.
Details of the suspect's condition or travel history have not been disclosed. Local health teams have been deployed to the site, and passengers are being screened as part of standard containment protocol.
The move comes as the country grapples with its worst-ever Ebola outbreak, which has now claimed more than 1,700 lives in the eastern provinces.
Outbreak surges in the east
The current epidemic, driven by the Zaire strain of the virus, has spread faster than any previous outbreak in the region. Health workers have struggled to contain the disease amid community resistance and sporadic attacks on treatment centres.
The World Health Organization has described the situation as critical, with new cases emerging in remote areas that are difficult to reach. The virus has also crossed into neighbouring Uganda, complicating regional response efforts.
Officials say the outbreak is far from over, and the suspected case near Kinshasa raises fears that the disease could reach the densely populated capital of over 10 million people.
WHO chief visits as strikes hit response
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently visited the affected region to show solidarity and assess the response. His visit came as some Congolese health workers went on strike over unpaid wages and poor working conditions, hampering containment efforts.
The strike has slowed vaccination campaigns and contact tracing in several hotspots. Aid agencies have called on the government to resolve the pay dispute quickly, warning that any lapse in vigilance could allow the virus to spread further.
What happens next
Health authorities are expected to release test results from the suspected boat case within 24 to 48 hours. Meanwhile, efforts to vaccinate high-risk populations continue, though logistical hurdles remain.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the outbreak can be contained before it reaches Kinshasa or spills into other central African nations.