The ICRC warns that fighting in Goma, DR Congo, may lead to the escape of lethal pathogens, including Ebola, from a lab due to potential power failures. The conflict has resulted in a surge of civilian casualties, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of injured individuals, necessitating urgent humanitarian intervention.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) raised significant concerns regarding the potential risks associated with ongoing armed conflict in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. The fighting could jeopardize the safety of biological samples, including strains of the Ebola virus, housed at a national biomedical research laboratory. Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the critical need to maintain the integrity of these samples amidst fears of power interruptions due to the conflict. He warned against the catastrophic consequences that could arise should these pathogens escape into the community.
Goma, a city located in eastern DR Congo, has been embroiled in violent clashes between armed groups, notably the M23 rebel faction. This resurgence of conflict has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, resulting in widespread displacement and increasing casualties among civilians. Goma, already a refuge for about 700,000 internally displaced individuals, is witnessing a drastic influx of injured persons seeking medical assistance as local health systems become overwhelmed.
The ongoing conflict in Goma poses immediate dangers, including the risk of viral outbreaks from compromised biological samples at laboratories. The ICRC has reported a sharp increase in casualties, highlighting the urgent need for a stabilizing intervention. Protecting both the civilian population and critical health resources remains paramount as the situation evolves.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
