Congo authorities release quarantined boat after negative Ebola tests

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have released a river boat and its passengers after testing confirmed no cases of the Ebola virus (Bundibugyo) were present on board. The vessel had been quarantined in Maluku, approximately 65 kilometers from Kinshasa, following reports that a passenger who had previously traveled on the boat died in the Mongala province after exhibiting symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Investigations revealed that the boat did not originate from Kisangani, a region currently affected by an Ebola outbreak, contrary to initial surveillance reports. While the deceased individual's cause of death could not be definitively confirmed due to a lack of samples, the National Institute of Biomedical Research reported that all suspected cases on the boat tested negative for the virus.

The incident occurred amid a significant Ebola outbreak in the country, which health officials describe as spreading at an unprecedented rate. Since May, the outbreak has resulted in over 4,200 confirmed cases and more than 1,900 deaths. In response to the quarantine event, Congolese authorities have committed to maintaining a permanent control system for boats traveling upstream toward the capital to prevent future risks.