An outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been announced by African authorities. This development has led to enormous concern both in the country in question and worldwide. Specifically, 246 cases and 65 deaths from the Ebola virus have been reported, according to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Congo: meeting with neighboring countries for next steps
An announcement emphasizes that a meeting is being convened with the presence of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan to discuss the next moves and measures that must be taken. The executive director of the health organization, Dr. Jean Kaseya, added that the “significant population movement” between regions and other countries means that regional coordination is essential.
The virus profile
Ebola was first observed in 1976 in Congo and is believed to have been transmitted from bats. This is the 17th outbreak of the disease in the region. During 2014-2016, West Africa issued a red alert for Ebola.
In Guinea alone, 11,284 people lost their lives within those two years. There is no proven treatment, while according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average mortality rate is approximately 50%.
