Training Camp Cancelled Due to Ebola Outbreak
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp scheduled to take place in the capital city, Kinshasa, as a result of an Ebola outbreak occurring in the eastern region of the country.
In response to the health crisis, preparations for the national football team have been relocated to Belgium. The outbreak has reportedly caused over 130 fatalities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the outbreak as a "public health emergency of international concern," while clarifying that it does not meet the criteria for a pandemic.
Jerry Kalemo, a spokesperson for the national football team, told international media that pre-tournament games in Europe would proceed as planned, as the squad prepares for their first World Cup appearance since 1974.
DR Congo is scheduled to play friendly matches against Denmark on 3 June in Belgium and Chile on 9 June in Spain ahead of the World Cup finals.
A spokesperson for the DR Congo team informed the news agency that the training camp was cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed by the United States, which is co-hosting the World Cup this summer along with Mexico and Canada.
The US public health agency has implemented a ban on entry for non-American individuals who have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days, as a precautionary measure against the Ebola outbreak.
All players on the DR Congo team, as well as the French coach Sébastien Desabre, are based outside the country and thus will not be impacted by these restrictions following the cancellation of the training camp.
The planned high-profile event in Kinshasa was expected to be attended by fans and DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, according to .
Kinshasa is located approximately 1,800 kilometers (1,120 miles) from the eastern Ituri province, which is the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak. To date, no cases have been reported in the capital city.
Outbreak Statistics and Details
On Wednesday, the WHO reported that 139 people were believed to have died out of 600 suspected cases. However, on the same day, Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba stated on state broadcaster RTNC TV that authorities had recorded 159 deaths.
The outbreak is caused by a rare species of Ebola virus known as Bundibugyo. Currently, there is no vaccine available for this strain, and the WHO has indicated that it may take up to nine months to develop an effective vaccine.
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