The Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday declared a new Ebola epidemic in the western city of Mbandaka.
Just east of the Mbandaka officials are already dealing with ongoing outbreak of the same deadly virus.
According to DR Congo’s Health Minister Eteni Longondo, four people died of the disease in Mbandaka after tests were conducted on them.
Longondo told reporters that “We have a new Ebola epidemic in Mbandaka. We are going to very quickly send them the vaccine and medicine.”
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also confirmed the latest epidemic saying in a tweet that “A new Ebola outbreak detected in western DRC, near Mbandaka, Équateur province..”
He said officials “identified 6 cases, of which 4 people have died. The country is also in final phase of battling Ebola in eastern DRC, COVID19 & the world’s largest measles outbreak.”
“This outbreak is a reminder that #COVID19 is not the only health threat people face,” Tedros added.
A new #Ebola outbreak detected in western #DRC, near Mbandaka, Équateur province. @MinSanteRDC has identified 6 cases, of which 4 people have died. The country is also in final phase of battling Ebola in eastern DRC, #COVID19 & the world’s largest measles outbreak.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 1, 2020
DR Congo is battling two deadly viruses -Ebola and Coronavirus. It has struggled to end nearly two-year-old Ebola outbreak.
It was days away from declaring an end to the epidemic when new cases were detected, pushing back the gains made.
More than 3,400 people have been infected and 2,200 have died in the DR Congo since the previous outbreak was announced almost two years ago.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
