The Democratic Republic of Congo has ordered a ban on all mass gatherings in the capital Kinshasa. The move comes as health officials confirm a fresh resurgence of the Ebola virus. This is not a drill.
This is the same city that saw a devastating outbreak in 2018. The government is taking no chances. They have learned the hard way.
The ban covers concerts, football matches, and political rallies. Marketplaces are being monitored. Travel in and out of the city is restricted.
The World Health Organisation is on standby. But questions remain. How did the virus slip through the net again?
The health infrastructure is fragile. Corruption is rife. The opposition is accusing the government of a cover-up.
They say cases were hidden for weeks. The president's office denies this. But the timing is awkward.
Elections are looming. This could be a political bombshell. The streets of Kinshasa are quieter tonight.
But the tension is palpable. People are scared. They remember the body bags.
The international community is watching. Aid agencies are mobilising. But the real battle will be fought in the clinics and the villages.
This is a test for the government. Can they contain it before it spirals? The next 48 hours are critical.
