Third Chinese medical team deployed to aid Ebola fight in DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed its third delegation of Chinese medical specialists to assist in the ongoing Ebola response. The team, comprising doctors, nurses and epidemiologists, arrived in the capital Kinshasa on Monday and will be stationed in the North Kivu province, where the latest outbreak has been confirmed. Their mandate includes supporting local health workers, conducting contact tracing, and providing treatment to patients in designated Ebola treatment centers.

Chinese officials said the group will work alongside the World Health Organization and the Congolese Ministry of Health, sharing expertise in disease surveillance and infection control. The deployment follows two earlier Chinese missions that delivered training, supplies and laboratory support to combat the virus. The new team brings additional resources, including portable diagnostic kits and personal protective equipment, to strengthen the containment effort.

Ebola has resurfaced in eastern DR Congo several times since the virus was first detected in the region in 2018, causing periodic spikes in cases and prompting international assistance. The conflict-ridden eastern provinces, particularly North Kivu and Ituri, have long struggled with armed groups, displacement and limited health infrastructure, complicating outbreak response and vaccination campaigns.

The Congolese government has urged the international community to maintain pressure on armed factions that impede humanitarian access, emphasizing that security is essential for effective disease control. Health authorities reported that as of the latest update, dozens of suspected cases are under investigation, with several confirmed infections.

The arrival of the third Chinese medical team underscores continued global cooperation in addressing the Ebola threat, aiming to curb transmission and reduce mortality in a region already burdened by protracted conflict and humanitarian crises.