DR Congo river boat under quarantine for Ebola after five deaths
The health minister says all the passengers are being screened as a precautionary measure.
A vessel on the Congo River, the Yingfeng 2, has been placed under quarantine for Ebola after five fatalities occurred. The boat was intercepted before it could reach Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Congolese authorities are currently screening all 255 passengers aboard the Yingfeng 2 for both Ebola and cholera. The vessel, operated by a Chinese company, was stopped near Bende Bende port, approximately 65km (40 miles) upstream from Kinshasa.
Health Minister Roger Kamba stated that the screenings are a precautionary measure. This follows the death of a passenger who disembarked at an earlier stop and later died in hospital after exhibiting symptoms of fever and diarrhea. Additionally, two adults, a three-year-old child, and a newborn have also died.
Teams from the health ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) have boarded the boat and established a mobile laboratory to conduct tests. Kamba informed reporters, "For now, no-one has tested positive, and it is likely no one will be positive after 21 days of incubation has elapsed."
The BBC understands that the Yingfeng 2 departed Kisangani, DR Congo's third-largest city, about two weeks ago. Recent Ebola cases, including at least four deaths, have been reported in that area.
Kamba clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, there have been no Ebola cases in Mongala Province, where the deceased passenger disembarked.
The boat traveled over 1,700km downstream towards Kinshasa before its interception. Security services have been directed to quarantine the Yingfeng 2 offshore, adhering to WHO standards, to prevent any potential spread of the virus into the capital. Public health teams are on standby to act once the boat is secured.
The DR Congo has been battling its 17th Ebola outbreak since May 15. This outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of the virus, which had not been observed for over a decade. There are currently no specific drug treatments or vaccines for Bundibugyo, although the first human trials for a vaccine are underway in the UK.
Three months after the outbreak was declared, infections and deaths continue to rise. Official figures indicate 3,973 confirmed cases and 1,801 deaths, making it the second deadliest Ebola outbreak. Authorities report that over 17,000 people are currently being monitored after contact with Ebola cases, 674 patients are in isolation or treatment across five provinces, and there have been 776 recoveries.
In Kinshasa, preparations for a potential Bundibugyo response are intensifying. Surveillance and rapid-response capabilities are being strengthened at Maluku, the city's primary entry point. Officials have reiterated that these measures are precautionary, but they underscore the seriousness of the situation.