Butembo hoteliers urged to remain vigilant against Ebola threat

Authorities in Butembo, North Kivu province, are calling on hotel and guesthouse owners to increase their vigilance and adhere to prevention measures as part of the ongoing fight against the Ebola virus.

The urban tourism service in Butembo, in collaboration with the provincial health division, organized an awareness session for hospitality operators on Saturday, June 13. The goal is to encourage responsible practices and reduce the risk of Ebola spreading, especially since cases have already been recorded in the Katwa health zone.

Officials view accommodation establishments as a critical link in the prevention chain because they frequently host travelers from various locations. Kambasu Matembela, head of the tourism service's Butembo office, emphasized the hoteliers' responsibility in monitoring visitors. "They must know how to manage, monitor, and guide visitors, while also applying provincial authority instructions and barrier measures," he stated.

The organizers believe that cooperation between tourism and health services will improve awareness among economic actors who are directly exposed to traveler flows. Hoteliers are thus seen as frontline personnel for detecting and preventing suspected cases. The authorities reminded the public that Ebola can spread through the movement of infected individuals, underscoring the importance of enhanced surveillance in hospitality venues. This campaign seeks to strengthen coordination between state services and tourism operators to protect the population and contain the disease's spread in Butembo.

“

They must know how to manage, monitor, and guide visitors, while also applying instructions of the provincial authorities and barrier measures.