"There have been 246 suspected cases of the deadly haemorrhagic fever reported so far in Ituri province, which shares borders with Uganda and South Sudan. Officials at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said they were concerned about the risk of further spread. The area is home to mining towns where people are constantly coming and going, making infectious disease control challenging."
"Ebola is a severe illness with a high fatality rate that spreads through direct contact with body fluids such as the blood or vomit of infected people, or dead bodies, such as during funeral preparations. The DRC's national research laboratory has detected the Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested, Africa CDC said on Friday."
"Typically they have had the Zaire strain of Ebola, for which vaccines are available. However, Africa CDC said early testing suggested the current outbreak was a different type, with fuller genetic sequencing results due within 24 hours. The health watchdog said it was convening an urgent meeting on Friday with authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan as well as the World Health Organization and pharmaceutical companies."
"Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. Cases have been reported mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with suspected cases also reported in neighbouring Bunia. Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak, said Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC."
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed 65 people and reported 246 suspected cases in Ituri province. The province borders Uganda and South Sudan, and mining towns with constant movement make infection control difficult. Ebola spreads through direct contact with body fluids from infected people or dead bodies, including during funeral preparations. The national research laboratory detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested. The DRC has experienced 16 Ebola outbreaks since 1976, usually involving the Zaire strain, but early testing suggests the current outbreak may be a different type. Africa CDC is convening an urgent meeting with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, the World Health Organization, and pharmaceutical companies to coordinate a rapid regional response.
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Read at www.theguardian.com
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