Ebola Outbreak Reported In Remote Northeastern Region Of DRC

The Atlantic: The Confusion Over the New Ebola Outbreak
“The Ebola virus has emerged again in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and brought along two of its primary symptoms: confusion and misinformation. Earlier [Friday] morning, the World Health Organization announced that on May 11, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) notified WHO and partners of a case of Ebola, which had been confirmed by a national reference laboratory in Kinshasa…” (Yong, 5/12).

The Hill: Second Ebola case in Congo confirmed
“…So far, three individuals have reportedly died; there are two confirmed cases and 17 other suspected cases. It is still unclear how the first victim who died from Ebola caught the virus…” (5/14).

Reuters: WHO confirms second Ebola case in Congo outbreak
“…Health officials are trying to trace 125 people thought to be linked to the cases identified in the remote northeastern province of Bas-Uele province in northeastern Congo near the border with Central African Republic, WHO’s Congo spokesman Eugene Kabambi said…” (Ross/Farge, 5/14).

Quartz: Don’t panic: the Ebola virus is back
“…This time, the Congolese government’s reaction was quick, sending a team of doctors and scientists to the region to determine the extent of infection. … This is the eighth outbreak in the country, which has been associated with the deadly virus since at least since 1976…” (Chutel, 5/13).

STAT: Ebola outbreak reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo
“…And this time, for the first time in the history of Ebola outbreaks, there is an experimental Ebola vaccine that can be used to help contain the outbreak, if it’s needed. Supplies of the vaccine, first tested during the widespread West African outbreak, have been stockpiled by Gavi, a public-private partnership that makes vaccines available to lower-income countries…” (Branswell, 5/12).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. informed of Ebola virus outbreak in northern DR Congo
“…Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, [arrived] in Kinshasa this [past] weekend to attend a coordination meeting of the national committee at the Ministry of Health to deal with this emergency and ensure that WHO provides all necessary assistance to the DRC. WHO has also drawn up a comprehensive logistics plan to meet urgent requirements…” (5/12).

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