As the Ebola outbreak resurfaces in the Kasaï province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the neighboring Republic of Congo is taking swift preventive action to protect its population. With hundreds of people crossing the Congo River daily, shared borders, and close community ties, the risk of importation is high. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Congolese government has initiated a comprehensive preparedness plan, updating its National Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan and reinforcing awareness at major entry points such as Maya-Maya International Airport, Yoro Port, and Brazzaville Beach.
Frontline workers have been mobilized through sensitization sessions to strengthen screening, early detection, and response capacity. Health officers like Emma Gisèle Monka emphasized their constant state of alert and proactive communication with airport staff and travelers. WHO has provided essential support by supplying communication materials—including 1,000 leaflets, posters, and banners—and facilitating the establishment of isolation rooms and an ambulance for safe case transport. These measures aim to ensure rapid containment should any suspected Ebola case arise.
WHO Representative Dr. Vincent Dossou Sodjinou reaffirmed the Organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting epidemic preparedness beyond Ebola, focusing on stronger health systems, continuous training, and coordinated surveillance. This collaboration marks a shift from reactive crisis management to a proactive, sustainable approach to health security. With collective vigilance from all sectors—health, transport, customs, and civil society—Congo is reinforcing its resilience and setting an example for regional cooperation in epidemic prevention and response.
