The
World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the outbreak of Ebola in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, with no less than 3 persons already feared dead
after contracting the deadly virus.
Of the nine people suspected to have contracted the deadly virus, three
died, with one
case of Ebola confirmed through tests at the national laboratory
in the capital Kinshasa, WHO Congo representative Allarangar Yokouide, said in
a statement.
He further added that people began to get sick on or after 22 April in
Bas-Uele province in the country’s far north.
The region affected lies 1,300km (800 miles) north-east of Kinshasa,
close to the border with the Central African Republic.
“It is
in a very remote zone, very forested, so we are a little lucky. But we always
take this very seriously,” WHO Congo spokesman Eric Kabambi told Reuters news
agency.
The WHO described the outbreak as “a public health crisis of
international importance”.
It said the first teams of experts, including epidemiologists, biologists
and hygiene specialists had been dispatched and were due to arrive in the
affected region by Friday or Saturday.
A full statement issued on Friday by WHO on Ebola outbreak in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo read:
On 9
May, WHO was informed of a cluster of undiagnosed illness and deaths including
haemorrhagic symptoms in Likati Health Zone, Bas Uele Province in the north of
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), bordering Central African Republic.
On 11 May, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo
informed WHO that of 5 laboratory samples tested, 1 tested positive for Ebola
virus at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) laboratory in
Kinshasa. Additional laboratory samples are currently being tested.
Since 22 April, nine suspected cases including 3 deaths have been
reported. Six cases are currently hospitalized.
“An investigation team led by the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO
and partners has deployed and is expected to reach the affected area in the
coming days”, says Dr Peter Salama, WHO Executive Director for Emergencies.
WHO and partners are supporting the Ministry of Health in all aspects of
the response, including epidemiological investigation, surveillance, logistics
and supplies, communications and community engagement.”
The last outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo was in
2014 and killed more than 40 people.
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