Ebola in Dr Congo: a new epidemic kills 15

At least 15 people died in a new epidemic of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s Ministry of Health said.

The presence of the virus had been confirmed in a 34 -year -old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital last month after showing symptoms that included high fever and repeated vomiting, said the Ministry of the Reuters news agency.

It will be the 16th epidemic of the fatal virus in the vast central African state which has bad health services and is affected by conflicts in the east.

The last epidemic is in the province of the Kasai center, with 28 alleged recorded cases, the ministry said.

Officials have urged strict adhesion to preventive measures, in particular handwashing and frequent social distancing in high -risk areas.

The tests have identified the Ebola Zaire strain, a rare but often deadly disease, said officials.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it “acted determining to quickly stop the spread of the virus and protect communities”.

Four health officers were one of the 15 deceased, he said.

“Case numbers are likely to increase because the transmission is underway. Response teams and local teams will work to find people who can be infected and must receive care, to ensure that everyone is protected as quickly as possible,” added in a press release.

The last Ebola epidemic in Dr Congo took place three years ago, killing six people.

An epidemic in 2019 was much more deadly, making more than 2,000 lives.

The virus, which would come from fruit bats, was detected for the first time in 1976 near the Ebola river in what is now Dr. Congo.

People are infected when they have direct contact through broken skin, or mouth and nose, with blood, vomiting, faeces or body fluids with Ebola.