00:00As the number of Ebola cases in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo hits over 10,000,
00:07the Central African Republic has stepped up screening along their river border.
00:11At this frontier post in the capital, Bangui, that sits on the banks of the waterway which
00:16forms the southern frontier with the Congo, health workers are raising awareness among
00:20local communities.
00:23I came here to buy goods, and the health workers took my temperature.
00:27They said it was to prevent cholera and Ebola, but I'm not afraid.
00:32I don't have either disease.
00:36My concern is that we could be exposed through the people we bring back from the other side
00:40of the river.
00:41We transport them between the two countries without any protection.
00:44Sometimes we hear that someone over there has died of Ebola.
00:47I could become infected.
00:50Despite the risks, economic activity continues along the Ubangi River.
00:54At the Mpoko back pier in the southwest of the city, travelers who've just crossed over
00:59from the DRC wash their hands under the watchful eye of a health worker.
01:07There'll be someone standing by the door to show them how to wash their hands.
01:12After washing their hands, they'll undergo what's known as a briefing.
01:15The staff member will brief them, followed by guidance on taking their temperature and recording
01:23the results.
01:27With the virus in three Congolese regions bordering the country, the authorities have launched
01:32awareness campaigns, drafting the help of neighborhood chiefs, community and religious
01:37leaders to communicate prevention guidelines.
01:43You know, we share more than one and a half thousand kilometers of river borders with this
01:47neighboring country.
01:48And as you know, the same communities live on both sides of the border.
01:52As a result, there's a great deal of movement of people and goods.
01:57Officials say it's important that residents are aware of how to protect themselves.
02:01And while there's no cases in the Central African Republic yet, there's growing concern among
02:06residents, as for many who make their living from river transport, fishing or trade, avoiding
02:11the waterway is not an option.
