Democratic Republic of Congo's city of Goma tightens health checks after Ebola case confirmed

Authorities in Goma have tightened health screening measures, including temperature checks and mandatory hygiene protocols, after a confirmed Ebola case was detected in the M23-occupied eastern Congolese city. The World Health Organization has warned of hundreds of suspected cases across the region, with concerns over undetected spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain and no approved vaccine available.

Djaffar Al Katanty, Ngouda Dione/Reuters

21 May 2026 at 02:23:18

Democratic Republic of Congo's city of Goma tightens health checks after Ebola case confirmed

A health worker takes the temperature of an M23 rebel at the entrance to the Rodolphe Merieux Laboratory, National Biomedical Research Institute (INRB), where samples from suspected Ebola cases are examined, as part of the response to the epidemic in Goma, North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, May 19, 2026.

Arlette Bashizi/Reuters

Residents entering the eastern Congolese city of Goma from government-controlled areas were subjected to tighter health checks on Wednesday (May 20) as authorities sought to contain the spread of Ebola after one confirmed case was detected in the city, which remains under M23 occupation.

At the Kanyarutshinya checkpoint in Nyiragongo territory, north of Goma and one of the main entry points into the city from government-held areas, drivers and passengers were required to leave vehicles, wash their hands, wear face masks and undergo temperature screening before continuing their journey.

Similar hygiene controls were enforced at Goma City Hall, where residents and employees were prevented from entering without observing barrier measures.

Authorities said the measures were aimed at preventing wider transmission in the city of more than two million people, a strategic commercial hub bordering Rwanda.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday there were 600 suspected Ebola cases and 139 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The outbreak, involving the rare Bundibugyo strain, is centred in Ituri province, while one confirmed case has been reported in Goma.

The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, warning that the virus circulated undetected for weeks before being identified.

There is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.

-Djaffar Al Katanty, Ngouda Dione/Reuters