Lead

The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, due to an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country, moving preparations to Belgium, according to multiple reports.

The outbreak, declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, has disrupted the team's schedule and prompted travel restrictions and the cancellation of at least one friendly match.

Coverage comparison

Reports from ABC Australia, Africa News, Al Jazeera, and BBC — World consistently confirmed the cancellation of the Kinshasa camp, citing the Ebola outbreak as the cause. The team will now prepare in Belgium, as stated in all major reports.

There is some discrepancy in the scheduled opponents for the friendlies. While ABC Australia, Africa News, and Al Jazeera reported DR Congo is scheduled to play Denmark and Chile, BBC — World reported the opponents as Denmark and Spain in one article, though another BBC report mentioned Chile. The match against Chile, scheduled for June 9 in La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain, was banned by the city's mayor due to Ebola fears, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC — World.

Regarding the death toll, BBC — World reported 139 deaths out of 600 suspected cases, while other outlets, including ABC Australia, Africa News, and Al Jazeera, reported more than 130 deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases. One BBC article also noted that Congo's health ministry reported a higher death toll of 159 to state broadcaster RTNC, indicating varying figures from different health authorities.

Key claims

  • DR Congo cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp in Kinshasa due to an Ebola outbreak, as reported by ABC Australia, Africa News, Al Jazeera, and BBC — World.
  • The team will now prepare in Belgium, according to multiple reports.
  • The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, as reported by ABC Australia, Africa News, Al Jazeera, and BBC — World.
  • DR Congo is scheduled to play friendly matches against Denmark and Chile/Spain, with the Denmark match set for June 3 in Liege, Belgium, and the Chile match for June 9 in Spain, according to reports from ABC Australia, Africa News, Al Jazeera, and BBC — World.
  • The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 130 people and caused nearly 600 suspected cases, as reported by ABC Australia, Africa News, and Al Jazeera. BBC — World reported 139 deaths out of 600 suspected cases.
  • The US has banned entry from non-Americans who have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, as reported by BBC — World.
  • The outbreak is caused by a rare species of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, and there is currently no vaccine for this species, with the WHO saying development could take up to nine months, as reported by BBC — World and Al Jazeera.
  • The mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain banned a pre-World Cup friendly between DR Congo and Chile due to Ebola fears, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC — World.

Perspectives

Spanish Mayor's Decision

Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain, described the ban on the June 9 match against Chile as a "precautionary measure," following recommendations from the Andalusia regional government's health service. Franco said a report by the head of the municipality's medical service "advised categorically against hosting the match given the health risks which might arise."

Team's Position

Team spokesman Jerry Kalemo said the friendly matches in Europe would go ahead as planned, despite the cancellation of the Kinshasa camp. Kalemo explained that only one of three preparation stages was cancelled — the one in Kinshasa — while the matches in Belgium and Spain continued as scheduled.

US Public Health Authorities

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention banned entry from non-Americans who had been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days. A US official said the Congolese World Cup team would not be affected by the entry ban because it had been training in Europe for several weeks, meaning many players and staff had not been in the affected countries recently.

_This article was compiled from reporting by ABC Australia, Africa News, Al Jazeera, and BBC — World._