As an Ebola outbreak re-emerges in the Kasaï province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo is ramping up its preparedness measures to prevent the virus from crossing its borders.
With hundreds of people crossing the Congo River daily between the two countries, authorities in Brazzaville are aware of the heightened risk posed by their close proximity and strong human and commercial links with the DRC.
The Congolese government, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has initiated an emergency preparedness plan to strengthen national surveillance and response capacity. The Ministry of Health and Population has updated its National Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan, focusing on early detection, risk communication, and public awareness.
Dr. Jean Claude Emeka, Director of Hygiene and Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the urgency of the response:
“We are the immediate neighbor of the DRC, which is regularly affected by outbreaks. We share over 1,000 kilometers of border and common populations. It was essential to raise awareness among staff at entry points.”
A major sensitization session was held on September 23, 2025, bringing together around 100 participants, including health teams stationed at Maya-Maya International Airport, Yoro Port, and Brazzaville Beach. The session aimed to reinforce screening, early detection, and management of suspected Ebola cases.
Christian Voumina, Operations Manager at Maya-Maya Airport, praised the initiative, saying:
“Prevention is better than cure. We must act early, especially as the main entry point for international travelers.”
Health officers at the airport also reported heightened vigilance. Emma Gisèle Monka, a health official stationed at Maya-Maya since 2018, said her team has been on “permanent alert” since the outbreak was confirmed in the DRC.
“I’m ready. I distribute information sheets and answer questions about symptoms, transmission, and prevention,” she said.
WHO supported the training and provided communication materials, including 1,000 leaflets, 1,000 posters, and seven roll-up banners, distributed at key entry points. The agency is also assisting in the development of the updated preparedness plan and strengthening surveillance along land and river borders.
Two isolation rooms have been designated in Brazzaville—at the University Hospital Center (CHU) and the Military Hospital—and an ambulance has been assigned for the safe transport of suspected cases.
Dr. Vincent Dossou Sodjinou, WHO Representative in Congo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting national preparedness efforts:
“WHO stands with the government to strengthen surveillance, ensure a rapid response, and build long-term epidemic preparedness. This goes beyond Ebola—it’s about creating resilient health systems.”
The initiative marks a shift from a reactive to a proactive public health approach, aiming to build lasting resilience against epidemics. By investing in staff training, cross-sector coordination, and community awareness, the Republic of Congo is positioning itself to detect and contain health threats early.
Dr. Emeka underscored the importance of continued vigilance across all sectors:
“Every day, boats leave Kasaï for Brazzaville. We rely on collective vigilance—from police, transport, customs, traditional healers, and civil society. Cooperation with our DRC counterparts in contact tracing has worked before, and it must continue.”
The Republic of Congo’s early mobilization reflects a broader regional effort, led by WHO, to prevent Ebola and other infectious diseases from spreading across Central Africa’s porous borders.
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Source:Africa Publicity
