Virunga National Park surpasses 1 million travellers screened for Ebola symptoms as disease continues to spread

Virunga National Park surpasses 1 million travellers screened for Ebola symptoms as disease continues to spread

As leaders soon gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, the Ebola crisis in the DRC continues to claim thousands of lives. Ebola cases have now been confirmed in 6 provinces across DRC, and the total number of confirmed cases has reached over 7,000.

Virunga National Park is at the forefront of the response effort. Park Rangers have established 3 screening stations at critical junctures on the three routes leaving the Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak, providing handwashing facilities temperature checks and public awareness resources, as well as isolating facilities and medical referrals for suspected cases. Park Rangers now provide the critical security needs for frontline health workers. Since the first of these checkpoints became fully operational on 27th June, more than 1 million travellers have been screened, with 45 suspected cases identified. Virunga hopes to establish another five screening stations and construct two treatment centres this year.

A suspected case at the Muzipela checkpoint, near Bunia, in Ituri Province. Photo by Kaley Grâce Armant.

Operating checkpoints is painstaking work, requiring long shifts, quarantine protocols and huge dedication and commitment from Rangers and healthcare workers. These efforts are taking place among continued instability and violence in eastern Congo. Millions of people are displaced and vulnerable, amidst a climate of mistrust and misinformation, which has led to several cases of violent aggression against Virunga’s healthcare workers.

A health worker screens a traveller at the Muzipela checkpoint, near Bunia, in Ituri Province. Photo by Kaley Grâce Armant.

In recent days, the first confirmed case of Ebola among Virunga National Park staff has also been identified, with several other suspected cases. All these individuals are now hospitalised, with any individuals that may have come into contact with those suspected of being infected by the disease now isolated.

Emmanuel De Merode, Director of Virunga National Park, said:

“Ebola continues to devastate communities in eastern Congo. It is the fastest spreading outbreak ever recorded and could yet grow into a major regional health and security crisis. Early detection is critical. Virunga is urgently seeking to expand containment efforts and establish further checkpoints to close gaps in monitoring traveller movements, working with communities.”

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