Central African Republic tightens Ebola border checks

The Central African Republic has tightened checks on travellers crossing from the Democratic Republic of Congo as Ebola cases rise in the region.

At the M'Poko Bac pier southwest of Bangui, travellers arriving by canoe from DR Congo are being directed to wash their hands, receive health information, register and have their temperatures taken.

Officials in Bangui are worried the virus could cross the Oubangui river, which divides the two countries. The outbreak has recorded about 10,000 cases, most of them in DR Congo, and has killed almost 5,000 people.

Health officials said the virus is present in three Congolese regions bordering the Central African Republic. The two countries share a porous frontier stretching more than 1,500 kilometres.

Dr Valentin Nebanga, a departmental head at the Central African Republic's Ministry of Health, said entry points were staffed by health workers, customs officials, civil protection personnel and internal security forces. He said passengers arriving and departing were being screened by community health workers.

Authorities have also launched awareness campaigns involving neighbourhood chiefs, community leaders and religious figures.

Nebanga said the Central African Republic had no reported Ebola cases yet, but warned that preparedness remained difficult. “We are never fully prepared,” he said.