An outbreak of Ebola has been declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – four months after the end of the latter.
A case of a 31-year-old man was confirmed on April 5. He was admitted to an Ebola treatment center on Thursday, but died hours later.
The Regional Director of the World Health Organization for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moetti, said: “The weather is not on our side.
Overall, this is the 14th Ebola outbreak observed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1976, when the virus was first discovered.
Efforts to stop the current epidemic have already begun, with officials confirming that the deceased patient received a safe and dignified burial.
More than 70 of his contacts are also being tracked – and vaccinations in Mbandaka will be stepped up.
Ebola is transmitted by contact with body fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials.
Early symptoms include muscle aches and fever that are similar to those seen in other common conditions such as malaria.
In past Ebola outbreaks, mortality has ranged from 25% to 90% – but there are already effective treatments and patients who receive early care see that their chances of survival improve significantly.
Dr Moetti added: “The good news is that the health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have more experience than anyone else in the world in rapidly controlling Ebola outbreaks.
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