The Democratic Republic of Congo has canceled its pre-World Cup training camp in Kinshasa due to an Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country. The outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain, with 139 deaths among 600 suspected cases. The World Health Organization has classified it as a public health emergency of international concern but not a pandemic.
Preparations have been moved to Belgium. Team spokesperson Jerry Kalemo confirmed that planned friendlies against Denmark on June 3 and Spain on June 9 will proceed as scheduled. The squad is preparing for its first World Cup appearance since 1974.
Health authorities are racing to contain the outbreak. There is no vaccine currently available for the Bundibugyo strain; the WHO estimates it could take up to nine months to develop one.