At least 15 people have died in a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's health ministry has said. The presence of the virus had been confirmed in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital last month after showing symptoms that included a high fever and repeated vomiting. She died a few hours later from multiple organ failure.
This will be the 16th outbreak of the deadly virus in the vast central African state that has poor health services and is hit by conflict in the east.
The latest outbreak is in central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases recorded, the ministry said. Officials have urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and social distancing in high-risk areas. Tests identified the Zaire strain of Ebola, a rare but often deadly disease, officials said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated it was acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities. Four health workers were among the deceased. The WHO noted that case numbers are likely to increase as transmission occurs. Efforts are underway to identify individuals who may need care to ensure everyone is protected swiftly.
DR Congo has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against this type of Ebola. The previous outbreak in DR Congo was not long ago, occurring three years ago, resulting in six deaths. A more significant outbreak from 2018 to 2020 claimed over 2,000 lives.
Ebola is thought to originate from fruit bats and was first detected in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now DR Congo. Infected individuals can transmit the virus through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone afflicted with Ebola.
This will be the 16th outbreak of the deadly virus in the vast central African state that has poor health services and is hit by conflict in the east.
The latest outbreak is in central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases recorded, the ministry said. Officials have urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and social distancing in high-risk areas. Tests identified the Zaire strain of Ebola, a rare but often deadly disease, officials said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated it was acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities. Four health workers were among the deceased. The WHO noted that case numbers are likely to increase as transmission occurs. Efforts are underway to identify individuals who may need care to ensure everyone is protected swiftly.
DR Congo has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against this type of Ebola. The previous outbreak in DR Congo was not long ago, occurring three years ago, resulting in six deaths. A more significant outbreak from 2018 to 2020 claimed over 2,000 lives.
Ebola is thought to originate from fruit bats and was first detected in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now DR Congo. Infected individuals can transmit the virus through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone afflicted with Ebola.
