At least 15 people have been confirmed dead following a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the country’s health ministry, the outbreak was detected in central Kasai province, where 28 suspected cases have already been reported. Officials disclosed that laboratory tests confirmed the Zaire strain of the virus after a 34-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to hospital on August 20 with severe fever and persistent vomiting. Sadly, she died within hours from multiple organ failure.
Tragically, four of the victims are health workers, raising concerns about the safety of frontline responders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the situation could worsen, as transmission is still ongoing.
In a statement, the global health body said it is deploying urgent support to the affected area.
“Response teams and local teams will work to find the people who may be infected and need to receive care, to ensure everyone is protected as quickly as possible,” WHO explained.
To strengthen the emergency response, WHO announced it is sending two tons of medical supplies, including mobile laboratory equipment, protective gear, and treatment kits.
“Congo currently has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine,” which it described as “effective to protect against this type of Ebola,” The organization further noted.
Ebola, which first emerged in 1976 near the Ebola River in DRC, is a highly fatal viral disease believed to have originated from fruit bats. It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.
This marks the first outbreak in three years, following a 2020 flare-up that claimed six lives. Between 2018 and 2020, the country faced one of its deadliest epidemics, which killed more than 2,000 people.
