Ebola Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in DR Congo as Cases Surge
A new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in at least 15 deaths, prompting health officials to intensify measures against further transmission. The Democratic Republic of Congo's health ministry confirmed the presence of the virus after a 34-year-old pregnant woman who exhibited severe symptoms including a high fever and vomiting passed away due to multiple organ failure shortly after her hospital admission.
This marks the 16th outbreak of Ebola in the central African nation, which continues to grapple with poor health infrastructure and ongoing conflicts, particularly in the eastern regions. The current outbreak is concentrated in the central Kasai province, with 28 additional suspected cases reported.
Health authorities have urged residents to maintain strict hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and social distancing, especially in areas identified as high-risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed its commitment to swiftly controlling the outbreak, stating that it is working diligently to protect communities at risk.
Testing has confirmed that the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus is responsible for the outbreak. WHO officials expressed concern that case numbers may escalate as transmission remains ongoing, leading response teams to hasten efforts to locate and care for potentially infected individuals.
The outbreak has sadly impacted the healthcare community, with four of the deceased being health workers. In response, the WHO noted that the DR Congo possesses a stockpile of treatments, which includes 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine proven to be effective against this Ebola strain.
The last significant Ebola outbreak in the country occurred three years ago, resulting in six fatalities. Prior to that, between 2018 and 2020, a deadly surge claimed over 2,000 lives.
Originating from fruit bats, the Ebola virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the DR Congo. Infection occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, making awareness and preventive measures critical in curbing further spread.
