The Democratic Republic of Congo has declared a new outbreak of the Ebola virus, which has claimed 15 lives since the end of August.
This was disclosed by the Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba, who said the outbreak is in central Kasai province, where 28 suspected cases have been recorded, with the first case reported on August 20 in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital.
The Zaire strain, for which there is a vaccine, is the cause of the new outbreak, while the vaccine is available, deploying it required ensuring logistics, Kamba said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched experts alongside a Congolese response team to Kasai Province to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities.
This is the 16th outbreak recorded in the country. The deadliest outbreak in the DRC, which has a population of over 100 million, killed nearly 2,300 people between 2018 and 2020.
Ebola is a deadly viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, causing severe bleeding and organ failure.
The WHO has emphasised its commitment to tackling the outbreak. “We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi.
The organisation has also noted that case numbers are likely to increase as transmission is ongoing.
The DRC faced significant challenges in responding to the outbreak due to its poor infrastructure and limited lines of communication.
With a stockpile of treatments and 2,000 doses of vaccines available, the country is working to contain the outbreak.
AFP
