Congo's health ministry declares new Ebola outbreak

Congo's health ministry on Thursday announced a new Ebola outbreak, the 16th in the Central African country, after a case was confirmed in southern Kasai province.

"To date, the provisional report shows 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including 14 in Boulapé and one in Mweka, as well as four health-care workers," said Samuel-Roger Kamba, Congo's public health minister.

He said the case fatality rate, estimated at 53.6 per cent, showed the gravity of the situation.

Kamba said the figures were provisional and research was ongoing. The suspected cases and deaths presented symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea and hemorrhage.

The confirmed case was of a 34-year-old pregnant woman in the locality of Boulapé.

The World Health Organization said Thursday it dispatched its experts alongside Congo's Rapid Response Team to Kasai province to strengthen disease surveillance, treatment and infection prevention and control in health facilities. It is also delivering supplies, including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies. Congo has a stockpile of treatments and of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, WHO said.

"We're acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities," said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO's regional director for Africa.

The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare but severe — and often fatal — for humans.