A U.N worker in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for the deadly Ebola virus.
The worker serves as a plumber for the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in eastern DR Congo.
The health ministry says this is the first case of a U.N. worker contracting the disease during the current outbreak.
Health officials say the worker might have contracted the virus at a health centre in the city of Beni. The health centre is run by a traditional healer.
Many Congolese who have contracted the disease resort to traditional healing centres for treatment.
The head of Congo’s U.N. peacekeeping mission, Leila Zerrougui, wrote in a letter to employees that the said worker “based in Beni has tested positive for Ebola, and is now receiving the necessary medical treatment.”
Hundreds of people have been infected with the deadly Ebola and health officials have been working hard to contain the spread.
Over 100 people have also died from the current outbreak as well.
Reuters reports that a senior World Health Organization official said last week that he expects the outbreak to last at least another three or four months.
There are concerns the outbreak could spread to neighboring countries like Uganda and Rwanda.
Source: Africafeeds.com
