Ebola outbreak in DR Congo requires urgent community engagement: public health expert

The Ebola outbreak in conflict-hit regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has presented unprecedented challenges that require immediate action, particularly in community engagement, according to a public health specialist.

Ahmed Ogwell is president and CEO of VillageReach, a Seattle-based organization that works internationally to develop programs that improve health outcomes across Africa. In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) that aired Wednesday, he outlined several factors that make this Ebola outbreak particularly dangerous and difficult to control.

"This outbreak is special in several ways. First is that it was detected late, after it has been in circulation for some time. And that means that the numbers from the beginning were more than we were counting. Second is that it's in a conflict area, and therefore, deploying health workers, engaging with the communities, is much more difficult, much more unsafe than in a non-conflict area. And also, dealing with the different entities that are controlling the different parts of the area is also complicated. Third is, we don't have any licensed therapeutic or vaccine, and that means that we only use the usual public health measures to try and bring this under control," he said.

"And finally is, it is an area which is near other countries, and therefore, with all the movements, cross-border importation becomes a concern. And therefore, there is a need for us to act a little bit faster than we are doing now so that we can be able to contain this within the space where it started," said Ogwell, who is also the former deputy director-general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC has risen to 837, including 196 deaths, according to the latest figures released by the DRC health ministry.

When asked about the necessary immediate action to bring the Ebola outbreak under control, Ogwell stressed that community engagement must be the top priority.

"My advice that we need to do and right now is community engagement. The community needs to be spoken to in the language they understand, context-specific messaging and appreciating and accommodating their cultural practices," said the public health specialist.

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo requires urgent community engagement: public health expert

Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced on Thursday that it will waive all transit fees for commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz for the next 60 days after Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending their conflict.

According to a statement released by the council, the fee waiver applies to commercial vessels applying for passage under Article 5 of the MoU. Ships are required to submit their transit applications to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an Iranian authority overseeing shipping control in the Strait of Hormuz.

During this 60-day period, the Iranian government will cover all associated costs, allowing the vessels to transit free of charge.

The statement noted that the Persian Gulf Strait Authority has been instructed to prioritize and expedite the processing of these applications to ensure the implementation of the MoU. However, due to specific operational conditions and potential security risks in the transit routes, vessels must adhere to designated shipping lanes and scheduled times. These measures are designed to ensure navigation safety, prevent maritime accidents, and gradually increase the waterway's transit capacity, according to the statement.

The authority will release further execution arrangements and technical details regarding the transit protocols in due course.

The statement also said that other critical matters, including mine clearance operations in the waterway, will be addressed in accordance with Article 5 of the MoU.

Meanwhile, U.S. forces on Thursday lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, according to U.S. Central Command.

"American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports. All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased," the command wrote on X.

Iran waives transit fees for merchant ships in Strait of Hormuz for 60 days