The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has defended its ability to handle Ebola outbreaks as debate continues over a proposed U.S.-backed quarantine facility in Kenya that has sparked public concern and landed in court.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Focus on Africa, DRC Government Spokesperson and Information Minister Patrick Muyaya said the country has enough experience and expertise to deal with Ebola and has been working closely with U.S. health authorities since the latest outbreak began.
Muyaya said the DRC has successfully managed several Ebola outbreaks in the past and remains capable of responding to the disease.
“We have been talking with the U.S. government since the beginning of the outbreak, and some of the specialists here are already working with the U.S. government,” he said.
He added that the country had previously managed to contain an Ebola outbreak in the Kasai region within six weeks.
His remarks come at a time when a reported plan to set up an Ebola quarantine and monitoring facility for American citizens in Kenya continues to attract criticism from some Kenyans, politicians and civil society groups.
The proposal has also faced a legal setback after the High Court in Nairobi temporarily stopped the project.
The court issued conservatory orders on Friday, suspending the establishment of any Ebola-related isolation, treatment or monitoring facility linked to the arrangement until the matter is heard and determined.
The case against the government has been filed by the Katiba Institute, stating that the case brings into question matters of public health, national security, and constitutional processes.
In wake of the lawsuit, the US government expressed knowledge of the matter and confirmed its engagement with the relevant Kenyan authorities over the concerns that had been raised.
Meanwhile, there were reports that the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps planned to dispatch a specialized team of experts who would be in charge of monitoring American nationals returning from the DRC in terms of possible infection with Ebola virus.
This, in turn, has added more fuel to the already existing controversy as local political leaders of Laikipia County asked for clarification on why an Ebola facility was to be established in Kenya when efforts should be directed towards controlling the situation in the DRC.
Leaders stated that no consultations had been held with locals and that all Ebola-related response actions be conducted where the Ebola outbreak occurs. Despite the court decision, the controversy does not show any sign of settling down; there were also reports of arrival of a US cargo airplane carrying Ebola-related equipment to Kenya on Friday night.
