A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Congo's Ituri province. A total of 246 cases and over 80 deaths have been confirmed so far. This is the 17th outbreak since the disease first emerged in 1976 in the country.
The suspected cases are mainly recorded in Ituri's Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
Ituri is in a remote eastern part of Congo with poor road networks, and is more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the nation's capital, Kinshasa.
One of the major concerns for the health authorities is the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.
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The current strain, which has been identified in Uganda, is Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The Ebola Zaire strain, also known as the Ebola virus, was prominent in Congo's past outbreaks.
According to the WHO, the Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus are the cause of large outbreaks.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a rare but severe and often fatal viral illness that affects humans and other primates. The disease causes multiple systemic issues, including hemorrhagic fever—a condition that damages blood vessels and impairs organ function.
How is Ebola transmitted?
The Ebola virus is highly infectious and can be transmitted to humans from wild animals. It then spreads throughout the human population via direct contact with bodily fluids—such as blood, vomit, or semen—as well as surfaces and materials like bedding and clothing contaminated with these fluids.
The symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and at times internal and external bleeding.
How to prevent the spread of the infection
*Do not handle fruit bats or primates, and avoid consuming raw meat, to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission.
*Prevent human-to-human transmission by avoiding close contact with patients and their bodily fluids. Always isolate patients in designated treatment centres for early care and infection control.
*Control outbreaks by keeping communities informed and actively involving them in open, transparent dialogue.
*Maintaining good hygiene and a clean environment are also important.