Efforts to Combat Ebola in Eastern DRC
In response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Virunga National Park is intensifying its health measures to safeguard both human populations and the endangered mountain gorillas residing within its boundaries. These efforts have been bolstered since the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the situation in the DRC and neighboring Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Emmanuel de Merode, director-general of Virunga National Park, highlighted the park's role as a natural barrier that can help prevent the spread of the disease, given its vast expanse and absence of human settlements. In the past, Virunga contributed to controlling the DRC's 10th Ebola outbreak between 2018 and 2020, which resulted in nearly 2,300 fatalities in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Deployment of Health Checkpoints and Personnel
Virunga National Park has set up six health checkpoints along a 300km protected forest area in North Kivu. These checkpoints are equipped with facilities for handwashing, temperature checks, and first-level isolation centers. The park has also deployed 40 paramedics and 80 rangers as part of a six-month emergency response initiative.
The checkpoints are strategically placed along roads that traverse the park, allowing authorities to monitor and control movement in the area. In Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak, checkpoints near Bunia screen travelers from Ebola-affected regions. The park has provided local health services with essential supplies such as protective gear, body bags, thermometers, and vehicles to address initial shortages faced during the outbreak.
Strengthening Surveillance and Cooperation
De Merode noted that past experiences have fortified collaboration between Virunga and the Congolese health authorities, particularly in terms of surveillance and early detection. He recalled that during the 2018-2020 outbreak, Virunga was recognized as a significant factor in preventing the virus from spreading to other parts of the country, including Goma.
Virunga's efforts are part of a broader response led by Congolese health authorities, supported by technical and financial partners. Information gathered at the park's checkpoints is promptly forwarded to the Congolese National Institute of Public Health for further action.
In Ituri province, three checkpoints managed by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation are also involved in screening travelers from high-risk areas. To date, two suspected cases have been identified through these checkpoints and referred to public health officials for monitoring.
Protecting Endangered Mountain Gorillas
Virunga National Park is home to some of the last remaining populations of mountain gorillas, listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These gorillas are vulnerable to diseases transmitted by humans due to their genetic similarity, sharing over 90% of their DNA with us.
Eddy Syaluha, a veterinarian with Gorilla Doctors, emphasized the importance of a One Health approach, which considers the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. He noted that no mountain gorilla in Virunga or elsewhere in the DRC has contracted Ebola, thanks to ongoing health monitoring and visitor screening efforts.
Historically, Ebola has had devastating impacts on great ape populations, with mortality rates exceeding 90% among western lowland gorillas in Central Africa. Therefore, prevention and surveillance are crucial to protecting Virunga's gorillas from a similar fate.
Syaluha stressed the importance of focusing on preventive measures targeting humans to avoid transmission to the gorillas. Conservation teams continue to monitor gorilla health vigilantly to ensure the safety of these iconic species.
