Beijing: China on Monday announced its decision to send emergency medical assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the nation grapples with an Ebola outbreak. The Chinese government has committed to providing humanitarian aid and deploying medical expert teams to support medical services and assistance in the affected regions.

According to Anadolu Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized China’s solidarity with the DRC, stating, “We feel for the DRC over the latest outbreak of the Ebola.” In addition to aiding the DRC, China is also extending support to the African Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in their fight against Ebola.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported at least 134 confirmed cases of Ebola in the current outbreak affecting both Congo and Uganda. The death toll has reached 18 among these confirmed cases. Congolese health authorities continue to register new suspected cases, with a cumulative total exceeding 1,000 since the outbreak’s declaration on May 15.

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is primarily concentrated in the eastern Congolese provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. Lin Jian noted that Chinese medical teams are actively engaged on the ground, working alongside African counterparts. He highlighted that over 45 medical teams from China have visited African nations in recent years to provide medical assistance.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on countries that have imposed travel restrictions and closed borders in response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda to reconsider these measures. Nations such as Canada and the US have implemented travel restrictions and visa suspensions for residents of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Meanwhile, Rwanda and Uganda have limited travel from Congo despite sharing borders with the country.