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 reported. The presence of the virus was confirmed in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to a hospital last month due to symptoms such as a high fever and repeated vomiting; she died shortly after from multiple organ failure.
This outbreak marks the 16th incidence of the deadly virus in a nation struggling with inadequate health services and ongoing conflicts in the east. The latest outbreak is centered in central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases logged. The Ministry of Health has urged the community to strictly adhere to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and maintaining social distance in at-risk areas.
Officials have confirmed the Zaire strain of Ebola, a variant known for its high mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) is taking decisive action to halt the spread and ensure community safety. Among the 15 deceased, four were health workers responding to the outbreak.
According to WHO, case numbers could rise as transmission continues, with a commitment to identify individuals who may need care. The organization noted that DR Congo has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the effective Ervebo vaccine.
The last Ebola outbreak in DR Congo occurred three years ago, resulting in six deaths. However, previous outbreaks have been deadly; one from 2018 to 2020 claimed over 2,000 lives. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with fluid from infected individuals and is thought to have originated from fruit bats in the 1970s, first detected near the Ebola River in DR Congo.
This outbreak marks the 16th incidence of the deadly virus in a nation struggling with inadequate health services and ongoing conflicts in the east. The latest outbreak is centered in central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases logged. The Ministry of Health has urged the community to strictly adhere to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and maintaining social distance in at-risk areas.
Officials have confirmed the Zaire strain of Ebola, a variant known for its high mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) is taking decisive action to halt the spread and ensure community safety. Among the 15 deceased, four were health workers responding to the outbreak.
According to WHO, case numbers could rise as transmission continues, with a commitment to identify individuals who may need care. The organization noted that DR Congo has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the effective Ervebo vaccine.
The last Ebola outbreak in DR Congo occurred three years ago, resulting in six deaths. However, previous outbreaks have been deadly; one from 2018 to 2020 claimed over 2,000 lives. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with fluid from infected individuals and is thought to have originated from fruit bats in the 1970s, first detected near the Ebola River in DR Congo.
