"Africa's top public health agency has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement on Friday that 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases had been recorded so far in the remote Ituri province. The health body said it was convening an urgent meeting with Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and global partners to reinforce cross-border surveillance, preparedness and response efforts."
"It said the cases had mainly been reported in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with four deaths among laboratory-confirmed cases. "Africa CDC is concerned about the risk of further spread due to the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu," the agency added."
"The Ebola virus is highly contagious and the disease it causes is often fatal for humans. It is transmitted through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids and causes symptoms such as fever, vomiting, body aches and diarrhoea. The virus is endemic to Congo's tropical forests, where it was first detected in 1976. This is the African country's 17th outbreak since then."
"Congo is the continent's second-largest country by land area, and limited road networks in some areas make it immensely challenging for local health authorities to respond to outbreaks. At the same time, the country is battling various armed groups in the east, including the M23 rebel group, which has occupied key cities, and the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Force militant group."
A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases in remote Ituri province. Most cases were reported in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with four deaths among laboratory-confirmed cases. The agency is convening an urgent meeting with Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and global partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance, preparedness, and response. Concern is driven by the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, and mining-related mobility in Mongwalu. Ebola spreads through direct contact with blood and bodily fluids and often causes fatal illness. The virus is endemic to Congo’s tropical forests and has produced 17 outbreaks since 1976.
#ebola #democratic-republic-of-congo #public-health-response #cross-border-surveillance #ituri-province
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