Congo clears quarantined river boat of Ebola, easing capital fears

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Saturday that no cases of Ebola have been found among more than 200 passengers quarantined on a river boat near the capital, Kinshasa. The confirmation eased concerns that the rare Bundibugyo strain might reach the city.

The boat was placed under quarantine on Thursday at the port of Maluku, about 65 kilometers from Kinshasa, after a traveler who had been aboard died with symptoms consistent with Ebola. Specialist teams from the Ministry of Health were sent to examine everyone on board, and samples from those showing suspicious symptoms were sent to a laboratory for testing. The vessel was also decontaminated.

The National Institute of Biomedical Research, which conducted the tests, said all suspected cases tested negative for Bundibugyo and urged residents of Kinshasa to remain calm. The capital has no confirmed Ebola case, according to Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya.

The passenger who died had disembarked nearly three weeks ago in Pimu, in Mongala province, more than 1,000 kilometers up the Congo River from Kinshasa. News of the death had sparked panic in the capital, which is far from the eastern region currently battling the country's second-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

The current outbreak, which began in May, has seen over 4,200 confirmed cases and more than 1,900 deaths. Health authorities say between 60% and 70% of new cases are occurring outside monitored contacts, and the outbreak is spreading at an alarming rate. Doctors Without Borders warned this week that the response is still not reaching communities quickly enough to break transmission chains.