The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has urged for expanded surveillance efforts beyond formal routes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to address the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The organization issued the call on Tuesday, highlighting the need to monitor areas where standard health infrastructure may be less accessible.
According to IOM, 71 confirmed Ebola cases have been detected along transit routes since the outbreak began almost six months ago. These figures underscore the significant role that movement and travel corridors play in the spread of the disease within the region.
The agency emphasized that focusing solely on formal entry points and established health facilities is insufficient to contain the virus. By extending surveillance to informal transit routes, health authorities can better identify and isolate potential cases before they contribute to further transmission.
The DRC has faced multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent years, with the current situation persisting for nearly half a year. The presence of confirmed cases along transit routes suggests that the virus is circulating in areas that may not be fully covered by routine health monitoring systems.
IOM’s recommendation aims to strengthen the overall response by ensuring that surveillance networks are comprehensive and adaptable to the movement patterns of the population. This approach is critical for managing the outbreak effectively in a country with vast and diverse geographical challenges.
<small>Source: AllAfrica — read the original story there.</small>
