KIGALI – Rwanda’s health ministry has on Monday, July 15 urged Rwandans to limit their movement to DRC especially the eastern region after Ebola was discovered in Goma a town boarding Rwanda in the western side.
In a statement dated July 15, the health minister noted that citizens need to play their part in stopping the spread of the deadly disease even though it had not been detected in their country.
“The ministry of health reminds citizens and residents not to make unnecessary border crossings and travels to areas in neighbouring countries where Ebola has been reported,” the ministry said in a statement.
In addition, residents were encouraged not to provide unnecessary accommodation to travellers who are coming from areas of neighbouring countries where Ebola has been reported.
The first case of Ebola was confirmed in Goma on July 14 by the Ministry of Health in DRC.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health in DRC, it was stated that a pastor tested positive with the Ebola virus upon his arrival in the city of Goma from Butembo.
“Due to the speed with which the patient has the identification of all passengers from Butembo, the risk of spreading to the rest of the city of Goma remains low.” Reads an excerpt from the statement.
More than 1,600 people have died since the Ebola outbreak began in Congo last year.
According to BBC, the city had prepared for the outbreak last year with preventive activities and emergency responses in case the deadly disease re-occurred.
A total of 3000 health workers in the city have already been vaccinated.
