The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has established a new infection with the Ebola virus in the east of the country. This is worrisome because the virus is highly contagious and deadly.
The Congolese Ministry of Health reports on Sunday that the infection has been detected in the city of Butembo.
The infected woman died in hospital on February 3, after having had symptoms two days earlier. She was married to a man who had been infected in a previous Ebola outbreak, according to authorities.
There are fears of a new outbreak. The DRC has had eleven Ebola outbreaks since the virus was discovered in 1976. That is more than double compared to other countries. 40 to 90 percent of people who become infected die.
Deadly Ebola outbreak in DRC ended last summer
Eastern DRC suffered an Ebola outbreak in the second half of last year with 130 infections and 55 deaths. The deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country ever ended in the summer of 2020. In almost two years, more than 2,200 people died from the effects of the virus.
Only the outbreak in West Africa from 2013 to 2016 was more deadly. Then more than 11,300 people died.
The Ebola virus is transmitted through body fluids such as blood, sweat and urine. Rescuers must wear special suits to protect themselves from possible contamination.
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