DR Congo capital wary of Ebola nightmare
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are implementing strict screening measures at river ports to prevent the spread of Ebola to the capital, Kinshasa. Despite thousands of deaths in other provinces, the city remains free of the virus, prompting authorities to monitor travelers arriving from high-risk areas.
Why it matters
Effective containment of Ebola in densely populated urban centers is critical to preventing a larger humanitarian crisis and regional health emergency.
That is why Yves Matwa walks up and down the jetty at the river port of Bende-Bende in Maluku, 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Kinshasa, shouting through a loud-hailer at people arriving on ferries from afflicted zones.Every day hundreds of people come from northern and eastern DR Congo on wooden boats aiming to reach Kinshasa. Health teams are stepping up checks to protect the overcrowded city of nearly 17 million people where no cases have been reported -- so far."They come from high-risk areas where the disease is present, so when they arrive here, we have to carry out checks," said Matwa, a community engagement officer, who wears a t-shirt bearing the grim slogan "Stop Ebola"."I tell them they need to get ready and that if they show no signs, we'll be able to release them," he added.A queue of traders and families waited in line at the jetty.…
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