Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are investigating a suspected case of Ebola in the east of the country, the regional office for Africa of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Saturday.
In early July, the DRC, where the Ebola virus was first identified in 1976, declared the end of its 14th epidemic of this hemorrhagic fever, which is often fatal but against which vaccines and treatments now exist.
In three months, four confirmed cases and one probable, all deceased, had been recorded in the northwest of the country.
The suspected case, a 46-year-old woman who died on August 15, was this time recorded in the health zone of Beni, in the province of North Kivu (east), already affected by previous epidemics of Ebola.
The woman had received hospital treatment "
initially for other conditions, but later presented with symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease
", according to the WHO.
Samples are being analyzed by the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), specifies WHO-Africa, which adds that it is "
already on the ground to help health officials investigate the case and prepare for a possible epidemic
”.
"
WHO staff are working with health authorities to identify anyone who has been in contact with the suspected case and monitor their condition
," the statement said.
“
WHO will also ensure that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place, that treatment can be made available to those who need it most, and to raise awareness in local communities,
” concludes -he.
This suspicious case was also mentioned during the Council of Ministers on Friday in Kinshasa.
In its report released on Saturday, the government, recommending “
caution to the population
”, assured that “
urgent actions
” had already been taken and that a “
stock of vaccines
” was available in the province.
The Ebola virus is transmitted to humans by infected animals.
Human transmission is through body fluids, with the main symptoms of fever, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea.
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