The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned mass gatherings in the capital Kinshasa and three other provinces to prevent the spread of Ebola, Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani announced on Saturday. The current outbreak has been detected in three eastern provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu—some 1,800 km from Kinshasa, but authorities fear the deadly virus could reach the city of 18 million people.
Ban Targets Protest March, Opposition Says
Prominent opposition figures have criticised the order, alleging it is a political move to stifle a protest march scheduled for 8 July. Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the opposition Lamuka coalition, told the BBC the government's decision was “political” as no Ebola cases have been confirmed in Kinshasa. “It is not legitimate. We cannot accept this decision,” he said. Rodrigue Ramazani, secretary-general of opposition party Envol, urged protesters to ignore the ban, calling the directive “a political manoeuvre rather than a public health measure.” The government has not responded to the criticism.
Ebola Cases Rise; Ban Extends to Three Other Provinces
The ban also applies to Tshopo, Haut-Uele, and Bas-Uele provinces, which border areas where Ebola has been confirmed. According to the health ministry, the outbreak is currently confined to Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where mass gatherings have been banned for weeks. Ituri is the worst affected, accounting for more than 90% of infections. On Saturday, confirmed cases jumped by 47, bringing the total to 1,274, while deaths increased to 360. Uganda has also confirmed Ebola cases, with 20 infections and two deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
No Vaccine for Current Strain; Trials Underway
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, for which there is no vaccine. However, on Monday, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention told the BBC's Newsday programme that trials for new antiviral drugs could begin as soon as this week. The Africa CDC and US public health authorities warn that this outbreak could become one of the largest ever, as it spread for weeks before being confirmed as Ebola.
Conflict Hinders Response
The WHO has warned that conflict in eastern DR Congo is making it harder to tackle the outbreak. The M23 rebel group controls large parts of North and South Kivu. Meanwhile, a doctor who tested positive for Ebola in France had passed through Kinshasa while returning from an Ebola treatment centre. The day after his test was made public, the government ordered a 21-day quarantine for travellers from affected areas.
