DRC: Public transport suspended to curb Ebola spread

Public transportation services connecting Bunia, Mongbwalu, and Aru in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been halted for more than a week. This decisive measure, implemented by transport operators following extensive awareness campaigns by civil society organizations, is intended to significantly reduce the transmission of the Ebola virus.

The Aru territory has become a focal point of the outbreak, recording seven confirmed cases, including four fatalities. Specifically, four cases, one resulting in death, were identified in Aru city, while three additional cases, all fatal, were reported in Aungba. The high volume of travel between Bunia, Mongbwalu, identified as epicenters of the epidemic, and Aru heightened concerns about the virus's rapid spread.

Civil society actors have been actively engaged in sensitizing the public and transport stakeholders. Their meetings with bus and vehicle transport company managers led to the voluntary suspension of traffic along these critical routes. Provincial deputy Antoine Mopepe lauded this initiative, urging other regions within the province experiencing resistance to response measures to adopt similar actions. "It would be at the level of the politico-administrative authorities that such a measure could be issued. Other leaders in other territories can also follow the same path. And that could allow us to fight the disease together," he stated, emphasizing collective responsibility.

In parallel with the suspension of ground transport, authorities have also grounded commercial flights operating between Bunia and Aru. These combined actions reflect a comprehensive strategy to contain the ongoing Ebola epidemic by limiting population movement and potential virus dissemination.

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It would be at the level of the politico-administrative authorities that such a measure could be issued. Other leaders in other territories can also follow the same path. And that could allow us to fight the disease together.