Godsent Ogbebor
The Red Cross has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences if a biomedical laboratory in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, is not adequately protected. The laboratory, operated by the National Institute for Biomedical Research, stores highly dangerous samples, including the Ebola virus, which poses a significant threat to public health.
The regional director for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Patrick Youssef, emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting that the lab is at risk of power cuts. Located near the ICRC’s office in Goma, the lab houses samples of Ebola, a life-threatening disease known for its high mortality rate, which can reach up to 90% without immediate treatment.
Youssef stressed that it is critical for the virus to remain contained within the lab, given the ongoing conflict between rebels and the army in the region, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. The Red Cross fears that without proper protection, the virus could escape, resulting in an unimaginable disaster.
Ebola, which is transmitted through physical contact and bodily fluids, has caused repeated outbreaks in the Congo and other parts of Central and East Africa. The last major outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2015 resulted in over 11,000 deaths. In addition to the Ebola threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) is also warning of cholera outbreaks in the region due to inadequate sanitation and lack of access to clean drinking water.
Meanwhile, as the situation in Goma continues to deteriorate, the Red Cross and WHO are calling for immediate action to safeguard the lab and prevent further outbreaks of deadly diseases.
