“Stop Ebola” Day Brings Several North Kivu Towns to a Standstill

Economic and school activities stopped on October 19 in Beni, Butembo, Oïcha, Lubero-centre and Kasindi-Lubiriha after North Kivu Governor General Évariste Somo Kakule declared a “Stop Ebola” day. Schools, markets, shops and gas stations closed, while police set up checkpoints to enforce the measure. The governor said that as of October 17, the outbreak had caused 1,252 deaths, with an estimated fatality rate of 60%, and urged residents to remain vigilant. An Ebola vaccination campaign began in Beni on October 16 as authorities also seek to address community resistance.