Africa confirms fatal Ebola outbreak in Congo, urgent cross-border meeting called
There have been 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths recorded so far in the DRC, around five months after the last outbreak was declared over
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the continent’s top public health body, on Friday confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Congo’s remote Ituri province, with 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths recorded so far.
The deaths and suspected cases have been recorded mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, the organisation said in a statement.
The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or semen.
The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal.
“Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation,” the agency said, referring to the capital of Ituri province, near the border with Uganda.
It said preliminary laboratory results have detected the Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested.