Life in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), Kinshasa, remains generally normal even as the country faces its largest-ever recorded Ebola outbreak, with residents and authorities maintaining vigilance through preventive measures and public education.
With a population of around 22 million, Kinshasa is the DR Congo's most densely populated city and the core hub for epidemic monitoring, resource deployment and risk prevention and control.
Despite the escalating outbreak of the epidemic elsewhere in the country, the daily city operations are running steadily, with streets bustling with traffic and pedestrians as usual and no drastic disruptions to daily life. Local authorities have been ramping up public education campaigns and screening work to guard against imported infections.
For ordinary local residents, the rhythm of daily life has barely shifted from pre-outbreak days, even as many have begun taking proactive protective steps following the government outreach.
"Right now, Ebola is mainly concentrated in the eastern part of the country, and there haven't been any cases here in Kinshasa. After this outbreak started, we all bought masks, disinfectant and other supplies. The government has also rolled out prevention publicity," said local resident Biasala Tuwizana.
Though the capital has not recorded any infections, the severity of the outbreak has already stirred mild anxiety among some residents, leading them to adjust their daily habits to minimize exposure risks.
"Ebola does make us a bit nervous. We now try to stay away from crowded places and have taken some protective measures. All in all, it hasn't had a huge impact on my work and life. We've also learned how to prevent the virus," said Makasi Ngalagbana, another Kinshasa resident.
The Chinese Embassy in the DR Congo has kept close track of the evolving epidemic, issuing regular safety reminders and providing guidance to Chinese-funded institutions and personnel on proper protection protocols.
"Currently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing a new round of the Ebola outbreak. Thanks to the online and offline education provided by the Chinese Embassy in the DR Congo and the Chinese medical aid team, both our company and individual employees have gained a basic understanding of Ebola prevention and control knowledge," said Qiu Mengsong, a staff member at a Chinese-funded enterprise in the central African country.
The World Health Organization said on Saturday that the current Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo has become the largest ever recorded in the country, surpassing the 2018-2020 epidemic.
Figures released on Saturday by the DR Congo's Ministry of Health showed that as of Friday, the country had reported 3,674 confirmed cases, including 1,621 deaths.
Life remains normal in DR Congo's capital amid largest-ever Ebola outbreak
