In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, authorities have announced a new, 16th outbreak of Ebola fever. According to WHO and Associated Press, at least 15 people have died from the disease, including a 34-year-old pregnant woman and four health workers.
The first confirmed case was a resident of Kasai province who showed symptoms of hemorrhagic fever. She died shortly after being hospitalized from multiple organ failure. There are currently 28 suspected cases with similar symptoms.
Ebola is considered one of the most dangerous viral infections: the mortality rate of the current outbreak is more than 54%. The disease is transmitted from animals to humans, as well as from infected patients to healthy ones through biological fluids and contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
WHO has assessed the public health threat in Congo as high and has already sent experts to the region to strengthen surveillance, treatment and prevention. The organization will provide the country with protective equipment, laboratory equipment and medicines.
Recall that in 2014-2016, the Ebola epidemic in West Africa claimed the lives of more than 11 thousand people.
