A new case of Ebola virus detected in DR Congo

SourceBBC

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A new case of the Ebola virus has been detected in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s health ministry says.

A woman from the town of Biena near the city of Butembo has died from the disease.

The authorities say they are sending a response team to the area.

This would be DR Congo’s 12th Ebola outbreak.

The previous one occurred nearly three months ago in the west.

What is Ebola?

  • Ebola is a virus that initially causes sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and a sore throat.
  • It progresses to vomiting, diarrhoea and both internal and external bleeding.
  • People are infected when they have direct contact through broken skin, or the mouth and nose, with the blood, vomit, faeces or bodily fluids of someone with Ebola.
  • Patients tend to die from dehydration and multiple organ failure.