DRC reopens airport at centre of Ebola outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reopened the airport in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, which is the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak. A government statement said passenger flights would resume gradually and safely after being suspended last month.

Humanitarian and medical flights continued during the suspension, subject to approvals. The transport ministry said all passengers would have their body temperature screened before boarding and on arrival, and would be required to wash their hands. Anyone with a fever would not be allowed to board.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain on May 15. The World Health Organisation declared it a public health emergency of international concern. Health officials say the outbreak persisted undetected for weeks.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Bunia and said he saw encouraging signs, including five certified recoveries. He also called for more testing and treatment capacity and greater trust in health workers.

Government figures show 321 confirmed Ebola cases and 48 confirmed deaths. The International Rescue Committee warned that the virus may have been spreading for up to three months before the first official cases were detected in mid-May, suggesting the outbreak could be larger than reported.

Ebola has reached 15 of 36 health zones in Ituri. Cases have also been reported in North Kivu, South Kivu and neighbouring Uganda.

SOURCE: Reuters