New Ebola Cases Recorded In Democratic Republic Of Congo
Two years after surviving one of its deadliest outbreaks, the Ministry of Health of DRC has detected a new case of Ebola in the health zone of Butsili in North Kivu Province.
The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Friday, Oct. 8 that a new case of Ebola has been detected in the health zone of Butsili in North Kivu Province, where a previous outbreak was declared on Monday, May 3.
The Ministry of Health also stated that the Goma branch of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) confirmed the virus from samples taken from a child who reportedly died after suffering from Ebola-like symptoms on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, disclosed WHO is supporting health authorities to investigate the new Ebola case.
“North Kivu has been battered by Ebola outbreaks during the past few years, but this has built up local expertise and community awareness, paving the way for a fast-moving response,” Moeti stated.
With the support from the Ministry of Health and WHO, the regional Director said North Kivu Provincial health authorities are leading the current response against the virus.
“During the previous outbreaks in North Kivu, WHO helped build the capacity of local laboratory technicians, contact tracers, vaccination teams and reached out to community groups to raise Ebola awareness, as well as put in place an Ebola survivor programme.”
According to the Ministry of Health, the DRC’s 10th Ebola outbreak lasted for nearly two years and was the second largest in the world. By the time it ended, 3,481 cases were recorded with 2,299 deaths and 1,162 survivors.
The country’s 12th Ebola outbreak which occurred in and around Butembo ended after three months, with 11 confirmed cases, one probable case and six deaths.
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