The Republic of Congo has intensified preventive measures amid a potential Ebola outbreak, following a new flare-up in Kasai Province, central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). The DR Congo has reported no new cases in the past 18 days thanks to rapid outbreak control efforts.
“We share over a thousand kilometers of border and populations with DR Congo. Raising awareness among entry point staff is crucial,” said Dr. Jean Claude Emeka, Director of Hygiene and Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), authorities have strengthened surveillance and updated the National Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan.
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Over a thousand participants, including port and airport health authorities, attended training sessions on screening, early detection, and management of suspected Ebola cases. “Prevention is better than cure. As the main international entry point, it is critical that staff are fully informed about Ebola and the measures to follow,” said Christian Voumina, Operations Manager at Brazzaville International Airport. Isolation wards have been set up in two main public hospitals in Brazzaville, and an ambulance is stationed at the city’s main airport. Public awareness materials have been distributed to educate communities on symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures.
This proactive approach represents a shift from reactive response to anticipatory epidemic preparedness. Authorities are reinforcing disease surveillance, coordinating multi-sector mechanisms, and training health personnel to build a resilient health system capable of responding to Ebola and other public health threats.
“This commitment goes beyond Ebola and is part of a comprehensive epidemic preparedness strategy. It involves strengthening health systems, continuous staff training, and robust contingency planning,” said Dr. Vincent Sodjinou, WHO Representative in the Republic of Congo.
