Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have quarantined a passenger boat on the Congo River after five people died during the journey, prompting fears of a possible Ebola outbreak.
The vessel, Yingfeng 2, which is operated by a Chinese company, was intercepted near Bende Bende Port, about 65 km (40 miles) upstream from the capital, Kinshasa. All 255 passengers are undergoing screening for Ebola and cholera.
According to Health Minister Roger Kamba, the emergency measures were triggered after a passenger suffering from fever and diarrhoea left the boat in Mongala Province and later died in hospital. Four other deaths were also reported—a man, a woman, a three-year-old child and a newborn.
Medical teams from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have boarded the vessel and established a mobile laboratory to test passengers. Kamba said that no passenger has tested positive so far, adding that if no cases emerge after the 21-day Ebola incubation period, it is likely there was no transmission on the boat.
The boat had departed from Mongala Province about 22 days earlier, travelling more than 1,700 km toward Kinshasa before authorities intercepted it. Officials also clarified that Mongala has not reported any Ebola cases, contrary to earlier reports. To reduce the risk of the virus reaching the capital, security forces have kept the boat quarantined offshore while health officials continue monitoring passengers.
Ebola outbreak continues The DRC is currently battling its 17th Ebola outbreak, which was declared on 15 May 2026. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare variant that had not been detected for more than a decade. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, the Bundibugyo virus currently has no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, although experimental vaccine trials are underway in the United Kingdom.
According to official figures:3,973 confirmed Ebola cases1,801 deathsMore than 17,000 people under monitoring after exposure674 patients in isolation or treatment776 people have recoveredThe government is also strengthening surveillance around Kinshasa, particularly at Maluku, one of the city’s main entry points, to improve its ability to detect and respond to any new cases.
Health officials stress that the quarantine of the boat is a precautionary measure, but it reflects the seriousness of the ongoing Ebola outbreak and the importance of preventing the virus from spreading into the country’s largest city.
