Just In: Ebola Outbreak Kills Over 10 in Popular African Country as Details Emerge
- At least 15 people died in DR Congo’s 16th Ebola outbreak, first detected in a pregnant woman who later died
- The outbreak in central Kasai province recorded 28 suspected cases; Zaire strain confirmed, with officials urging preventive measures
- WHO is responding with vaccines and treatments, warning cases may rise; DR Congo’s last major outbreak killed over 2,000 people
Republic of Congo - At least 15 people have died in a fresh outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the country’s health ministry has confirmed.
The outbreak was first detected in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital last month after experiencing high fever and repeated vomiting.
Source: Getty Images
She tragically died within hours from multiple organ failure.
This marks the 16th outbreak of the deadly virus in the DRC, a vast central African country grappling with fragile health services and ongoing conflict in the east.
Outbreak concentrated in Kasai province
The latest cases have emerged in central Kasai province, where authorities have recorded 28 suspected infections.
Health officials have urged residents to follow preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and social distancing, particularly in high-risk areas.
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the Zaire strain of Ebola, a rare but often fatal variant.
WHO responds as cases rise
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was “acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities.”
Four of the deceased were health workers, underscoring the risks faced by frontline responders.
“Case numbers are likely to increase as transmission is ongoing. Response teams will work to locate and treat those infected to ensure communities are protected as quickly as possible,” the WHO statement added.
Vaccines and treatment available
Source: Getty Images
The WHO confirmed that DR Congo maintains a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against this strain of Ebola.
The country’s last Ebola outbreak occurred three years ago, claiming six lives, while the 2018–2020 epidemic killed over 2,000 people.
What is Ebola?
The Ebola virus, believed to originate in fruit bats, was first detected in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now DR Congo.
Humans become infected through direct contact with the blood, vomit, faeces, or bodily fluids of an infected person, via broken skin or mucous membranes.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and advise residents to remain vigilant.
NCDC announces alarming rise in Lassa fever, meningitis
Previously, Legit.ng reported Nigeria has recorded 1,035 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of 8,569 suspected cases, resulting in 174 deaths across 28 states and 129 local government areas as of October 13, 2024.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) also reported 380 confirmed cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) out of 4,915 suspected cases, with 361 deaths in 24 states across 174 local government areas during the 2023/2024 season.
He emphasized that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC, leads efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to Lassa fever cases annually.
Source: Legit.ng
