Ebola outbreak in Congo spreads to eighth province

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 18:01 · Archive

Congo's Ebola outbreak has spread to an eighth province in the north, with two new cases confirmed.

The Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to Nord-Ubangi province in the country's north, authorities said on Sunday. The Health Ministry recorded two cases, including one death, among men in their 20s living in the Wapinda health zone, which borders Bas-Uele province where cases have been reported previously.

Since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, authorities have recorded at least 9,400 cases and over 4,500 deaths, making it the deadliest in Congo's history. Ituri province in eastern Congo remains the disease's epicentre, accounting for almost three quarters of confirmed cases. A total of 66 health zones have been affected, and the virus has spread beyond Congo's borders to Uganda and Kenya, though Uganda has since declared itself free of the disease.

The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, said one of the biggest challenges has been convincing infected people to seek medical assistance, with some deaths occurring in communities outside health centres. Access to Nord-Ubangi is difficult due to poor roads and limited communication networks, and recurring armed violence in the region has forced thousands to flee into Congolese border communities.

Ebola outbreak in Congo spreads to eighth province — Image: Clickorlando

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Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth provinceThe Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to an eighth province.Clickorlando · 18 Oct, 17:43
Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth provinceThe Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to an eighth province.News4Jax · 18 Oct, 17:43

In this story: Congo · Nord-Ubangi · Ituri · Central African Republic · Uganda · Kenya · World Health Organization · Mohamed Yakub Janabi

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