On June 26, Xinhua reported that the death toll in the ongoing Ebola outbreak has exceeded 300, as the country strengthens control measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading.
The Congo Ministry of Communications and Press said that there were 1,155 confirmed Ebola infections, including 304 deaths. A total of 138 patients have recovered, while 326 others are being treated or quarantined. A confirmed Ebola infection was detected in a French doctor who participated in the epidemic response in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak. The ministry said in a post on X social network that the health authorities of the two countries are closely monitoring the situation.
Congo has imposed stricter travel regulations on returning people from areas affected by the Ebola epidemic, as part of tighter control measures.
According to a decree signed by Health Minister Roger Kamba on June 24, medical staff, laboratory staff and response teams returning from Ebola-stricken areas must undergo 21 days of proactive medical surveillance. During that time, domestic and international travel are prohibited.
Anyone who has ever stayed in a province affected by the Ebola epidemic can only go abroad after being outside the affected area for 21 days. All international passengers departing from the country are also required to complete a health declaration issued by the border health authority, with airlines responsible for verifying compliance, according to the decree.
The outbreak, announced in mid-May, was caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain, a virus that currently has no licensed vaccine or specific treatment.
