New case of Ebola hemorrhagic fever found in DR Congo

Ebola outbreak in 2018-2020 killed almost 2,300 individuals, the second-highest loss of life toll recorded.

Well being employees put together a physique for burial at an Ebola remedy centre following an outbreak in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, November 4, 2021 [STR/EFE-EPA]

A brand new case of Ebola hemorrhagic fever has been confirmed in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo, 4 months after the tip of the nation’s final outbreak.

The Nationwide Institute of Biomedical Analysis stated on Saturday that a 31-year-old male was detected in Mbandaka metropolis, the capital of Congo’s Equateur province.

The affected person’s signs started on April 5, however he didn't search remedy for greater than per week. He was admitted to an Ebola remedy centre on April 21 and died later that day, the World Well being Group (WHO) stated in an announcement.

“Time is just not on our facet,” stated Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa.

“The illness has had a two-week head begin and we are actually enjoying catch-up,” Moeti stated.

The WHO stated that efforts to include the illness are already beneath approach in Mbandaka – a crowded buying and selling hub on the banks of the Congo River the place individuals reside in shut proximity. The town has highway, water and air hyperlinks to the capital Kinshasa.

Congo has seen 13 earlier outbreaks of Ebola, and Mbandaka has contended with two – in 2018 and 2020.

The Ebola outbreak in 2018-2020, within the east of the nation, killed almost 2,300 individuals, the second-highest toll recorded within the historical past of the hemorrhagic fever.

The final outbreak, additionally within the east of the nation, contaminated 11 individuals between October and December and killed six of them.