WHO sends research team to DR Congo after Ebola outbreak
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has dispatched a research team to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where Ebola has resurfaced after a previous outbreak was declared over last June.
DR Congo authorities announced on Sunday that a new case was reported near the city of Butembo, in North Kivu province, located in a region which had beat back the disease following nearly two years of battle.
A UN statement said the woman, who has since died, was married to an Ebola survivor. WHO said in a press release issued on Sunday that it was not unusual for sporadic cases to occur, following a major outbreak.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, said the UN health agency is supporting local and national authorities to trace more than 70 contacts, while sites she visited are being disinfected.
“So far, no other cases have been identified, but it is possible there will be further cases because the woman had contact with many people after she became symptomatic,” Dr. Tedros said.
“Vaccines are being sent to the area and we hope that vaccination will start as soon as possible,” he said.
-0- PANA MA 9Feb2021
