At least 15 people have died in a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's health ministry has said.
The virus was confirmed in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was hospitalized last month after exhibiting symptoms including a high fever and repeated vomiting. She died within hours due to multiple organ failure.
This marks the 16th outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country plagued by poor health services and ongoing conflict in the east.
The latest outbreak is taking place in central Kasai province, where health officials have recorded 28 suspected cases. They are urging strict adherence to preventive measures, such as frequent handwashing and social distancing.
Tests have identified the Zaire strain of Ebola, which, while rare, is often deadly. Four of the deceased are reported to be health workers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively working to curb the virus's spread and protect communities by locating individuals who may be infected and ensuring they receive care.
In response to the outbreak, the health ministry confirmed a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against this strain of Ebola. The last outbreak, which occurred three years ago, resulted in six fatalities, while an earlier outbreak from 2018 to 2020 was far deadlier, claiming over 2,000 lives.
The Ebola virus is believed to have originated in fruit bats and was first detected in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Transmission generally occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual.
