This Zaire Air Force, Puma helicopter was used during the country’s 1976 Ebola outbreak, in order to move people and supplies to strategic locations. In 1997, Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The country’s Ebola outbreak started in the town of Yambuku, and from there spread to surrounding areas. A Kinshasa area hospital was sealed off during the outbreak, helping to bring the situation under control. The total number of cases in was 318, and had a mortality rate of 88%. The helicopter’s fuselage displayed the words, Force Aérienne Zairoise, which in English meant, Zaire Air Force.
Joel G. Breman, M.D., D.T.P.H.
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