DRC CONFIRMS NEW EBOLA OUTBREAK

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a new Ebola outbreak after health officials confirmed an infection in Kasai province. The patient, a 34-year-old pregnant woman, brings the suspected total to 28 cases, including 15 deaths, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health on Thursday. “These numbers are still preliminary, as investigations continue,” Health Minister Roger Kamba said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak has been detected in the Bulape and Mweka areas of Kasai, where patients have shown classic Ebola symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bleeding. WHO announced it is sending specialists to reinforce the Congolese response team and will deliver two tonnes of medical and laboratory supplies to support local health facilities.

“We are determined to stop the virus from spreading further and safeguard communities,” said Mohamed Janabi, WHO’s regional director for Africa. “Building on the country’s long experience in tackling viral outbreaks, we are working closely with national authorities to scale up key response actions and bring the situation under control as quickly as possible.”

This marks the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak, the most recent having occurred in April 2022 in the northwestern Equateur province, which was declared over after about six weeks. Ebola was first identified in 1976, with bats believed to be its natural reservoir. The virus has triggered multiple epidemics across Africa, claiming more than 15,000 lives. Its fatality rate is high, with some outbreaks killing up to 90 percent of those infected.