Congo-Kinshasa: Ebola - IOM Urges Wider Surveillance Beyond Formal Routes in DR Congo
[UN News] Seventy-one confirmed Ebola cases have been detected along transit routes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the outbreak began almost six months ago, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has urged widened surveillance beyond formal routes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Since the outbreak began six months ago, 71 confirmed cases have been detected along transit routes, with 95% of them occurring on informal routes that circumvent official checkpoints, according to Dr. Andrew Mbala, IOM's Regional Ebola Coordinator.
He emphasized the importance of monitoring population mobility, as many people think primarily about medical facilities when considering the response to Ebola. IOM maps key gathering places, such as markets and bus stations, and tracks travel routes, including areas affected by the outbreak. This information helps responders allocate staff and resources effectively.
Teams have conducted 55 million screenings in the DRC and neighboring countries. Additionally, 258 Ebola-affected bodies have been intercepted so far. IOM supports surveillance at 57 displacement sites in the DRC, 50 of which are in health zones impacted by the outbreak. The agency calls for $110 million in funding for its regional operations through March 2027 but is short by nearly $60 million.
Meanwhile, UN peacekeepers with the MONUSCO mission evacuated three wounded civilians from an ambush in Ituri Province, ensuring they received medical treatment.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
