World News | Congo reports new Ebola case linked to previous outbreak

Beni (Congo), Aug. 23 (AP) — A new case of Ebola has been confirmed in the eastern Congolese city of Beni, which it says is linked to a previous outbreak, the Congolese health ministry announced.

On Monday, tests carried out by a laboratory at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in Goma confirmed that the case was a Zaire strain of Ebola, which occurred in the Congolese provinces of Ituri and North Kivu between 2018 and 2020 The 10th outbreak of the virus that killed more than 2,000 people, the ministry said.

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The case occurred in a 46-year-old woman who was admitted to Beni Hospital in late July and died on 15 August after developing Ebola-related symptoms.

“Our field team in Beni carried out a dignified and safe burial and decontaminated the hospital where the patient was,” the ministry said.

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More than 130 high-risk contacts have been identified, of which 71 have been identified. Others remain at large, the ministry said.

“We appeal to the population to calm down and respect hygiene measures,” the ministry’s statement added.

Congo has experienced 14 recorded Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first detected in the conflict-ridden country in 1976. The last outbreak from April to July occurred in another area of ​​Equateur province, killing five people.

Ebola virus is spread through contact with the bodily fluids or contaminated material of an infected person.

However, the early symptoms of fever and muscle aches are similar to other common diseases such as malaria.

In addition to vaccines, there are now effective treatments that, if accepted early, can significantly improve the chances of survival.

According to various rights groups, Beni’s latest announcement comes as the region is under threat from various insurgent groups, including the ADF insurgent group that has killed more than 2,000 people in more than a year. (Associated Press)

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