Ebola Scare: DR Congo Reopens Bunia Airport After 10-Day Shutdown

The government confirmed that commercial flight operations at Bunia Airport, located in the provincial capital of Ituri, have resumed on a gradual basis after health and transport authorities completed a review of safety and monitoring protocols established to contain the spread of the virus.

The airport was initially closed on May 23 as part of emergency efforts to curb the transmission of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever. During the period of suspension, only medical and humanitarian flights were permitted to operate.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently grappling with a significant Ebola outbreak that has raised alarm across the country and neighbouring regions. Health authorities, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), have reported that the disease is suspected to have caused at least 246 deaths in both DR Congo and Uganda.

Ituri Province, which has faced prolonged insecurity and conflict, remains at the epicentre of the outbreak, prompting authorities to enforce strict public health interventions, including the temporary halt of commercial air travel.

The suspension, according to Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba, was necessary to allow time for strengthened screening and surveillance systems to be put in place for passengers passing through the airport.

Following a reassessment, the transport ministry announced that flights could resume after determining that adequate monitoring measures had been implemented, stating that conditions were now suitable for a gradual and safe reopening.

Authorities noted that the reopening is expected to improve mobility for residents, traders, and humanitarian workers operating within the affected eastern region.

Despite the resumption of commercial operations, officials emphasized that surveillance efforts would continue as part of ongoing measures to prevent further spread of the virus.