The Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry today said the current outbreak of Ebola, first confirmed on Friday, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. The Ebola outbreak began several weeks ago, with the death toll now rising to 131 and 513 suspected cases in the affected areas.
Congo’s health minister, Samuel Roger Kamba, said investigations were underway to determine whether the deaths and suspected cases were actually linked to the disease.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern over the rapid spread and growing scale of the outbreak,.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern over the rapid spread and growing scale of the outbreak,.
Cases have now been confirmed in Bunia, North Kivu’s rebel-held capital of Goma, Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyakunde. The outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization(WHO). Officials warn that the numbers are likely to increase as surveillance expands.
