Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have quarantined a river boat carrying 255 passengers after five people died during the journey, prompting fears linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
_x000D_Health officials intercepted the Yingfeng 2, a vessel operated by a Chinese company, near Bende Bende port. The location is about 65 kilometers upstream from the capital, Kinshasa.
_x000D_As a precaution, officials began screening every passenger for both Ebola and cholera.
_x000D_ _x000D_Health Teams Launch Emergency Screening
_x000D_Health Minister Roger Kamba said the operation started after a passenger with fever and diarrhea left the boat in Mongala Province and later died in hospital.
_x000D_In addition, two adults, a three-year-old child, and a newborn also died during the voyage.
_x000D_However, authorities have not confirmed whether the deaths were caused by Ebola.
_x000D_Meanwhile, experts from the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) boarded the vessel and established a mobile laboratory to conduct tests.
_x000D_According to Kamba, no passenger has tested positive so far.
_x000D_He added that officials remain hopeful because the boat left Mongala Province 22 days ago. The province has not reported any Ebola cases.
_x000D_ _x000D_Boat Remains Under Quarantine
_x000D_The Yingfeng 2 traveled more than 1,700 kilometers along the Congo River before authorities stopped it near Kinshasa.
_x000D_Consequently, security forces ordered the vessel to remain offshore under WHO quarantine guidelines.
_x000D_Officials say the move will reduce the risk of any possible spread into the capital.
_x000D_Furthermore, public health teams remain on standby while screening and laboratory testing continue.
_x000D_ _x000D_DR Congo Battles Growing Ebola Outbreak
_x000D_The Democratic Republic of Congo has been battling its 17th Ebola outbreak since May 15.
_x000D_This outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which had not appeared for more than a decade.
_x000D_Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain.
_x000D_However, researchers in the United Kingdom are conducting the first human trials of an experimental vaccine.
_x000D_ _x000D_Cases and Deaths Continue to Rise
_x000D_According to official figures, the outbreak has now reached:
_x000D_ _x000D_- _x000D_
- 3,973 confirmed Ebola cases _x000D_
- 1,801 deaths _x000D_
- 674 patients in treatment or isolation _x000D_
- 776 recoveries _x000D_
- More than 17,000 people under health monitoring _x000D_
As a result, this has become the country’s second-deadliest Ebola outbreak.
_x000D_ _x000D_Kinshasa Strengthens Preparedness
_x000D_Meanwhile, health authorities are increasing surveillance across Kinshasa.
_x000D_Officials are reinforcing emergency response teams at Maluku, one of the capital’s main entry points.
_x000D_In addition, medical teams continue to prepare for any possible spread of the Bundibugyo strain.
_x000D_Authorities stressed that the quarantine measures are precautionary.
_x000D_Nevertheless, they acknowledged that the rising number of infections highlights the seriousness of the outbreak.