Ebola needs swift response to prevent catastrophe - DR Congo governor

Bunia, DR Congo – The governor of Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lieutenant General Luboya N'kashama, has issued a dire warning regarding the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak within his jurisdiction. Speaking from Bunia, the provincial capital, Governor N'kashama stressed that every moment lost in the response effort brings the province closer to an unprecedented disaster, highlighting the urgent need for robust and coordinated intervention. The current outbreak, primarily affecting the eastern DRC, has prompted significant regional concern. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has explicitly listed several neighbouring nations as being at risk of cross-border transmission. Among these countries are Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and crucially for Zambian audiences, Zambia itself. Zambia, sharing a significant border with the DRC, particularly through its northern provinces, faces a tangible threat. The movement of people across this porous border, driven by trade, family ties, and sometimes conflict, presents a clear pathway for the virus. Health authorities in Zambia, including the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), are expected to heighten surveillance and preparedness measures, especially in border districts such as Chililabombwe, Kasumbalesa, and areas in Luapula and Northern Provinces. The lessons from past Ebola outbreaks, both in the DRC and West Africa, underscore the importance of early detection, rapid isolation of cases, contact tracing, and effective community engagement. For Zambia, this translates into strengthening diagnostic capabilities, ensuring adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, and conducting public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on symptoms and preventative measures. The government's proactive stance in implementing health screenings at ke