New Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Claims 15 Lives

ByChioma NdukwuSeptember 5, 20251 Mins read38 Views

A health worker sprays a colleague with disinfectant during a training session for Congolese health workers to deal with Ebola virus in Kinshasa October 21, 2014. The worst epidemic on record of the deadly virus has now killed more than 4,500 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Eight people have also died in Nigeria and cases have been reported in the United States and Spain.REUTERS/Media Coulibaly (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Tags: HEALTH DISASTER POLITICS) - GM1EAAM0G8E01

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

New Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Claims 15 Lives

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in Kasai Province, with 15 deaths recorded since late August.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba announced the development on Thursday in Kinshasa. He said the first case was detected on August 20 in a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to hospital.

So far, 28 suspected cases have been identified, according to provisional data. This marks the country’s 16th outbreak of the virus since it was first discovered in 1976.

The most severe outbreak in the DRC occurred between 2018 and 2020, claiming nearly 2,300 lives. The current outbreak has been linked to the Zaire strain of Ebola, for which a vaccine exists.

“Fortunately, we have a vaccine for this strain, but its deployment depends on logistics,” the minister said.

Despite having more than 100 million people, the DRC struggles with poor infrastructure and limited health facilities, making rapid containment a challenge.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and can lead to severe bleeding and organ failure. Six known strains of the virus exist, with varying levels of risk.