The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has confirmed a fresh outbreak of the Ebola virus, raising fresh concerns across Africa, including Nigeria.
Health officials announced that this marks the country’s 16th outbreak of the deadly disease, with 28 confirmed and suspected cases reported so far in Kasai Province, resulting in 15 deaths.
According to authorities, the index case was a 34-year-old pregnant woman in Boulapé, who died after showing symptoms consistent with Ebola.
Ebola, first discovered in 1976, is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus. It is transmitted to humans from wild animals such as fruit bats and primates, before spreading rapidly through human-to-human contact.
The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids including blood and vomit, or via contaminated items such as medical tools and bedding. Traditional burial rites involving close contact with the deceased have also been linked to faster transmission.
Early symptoms of Ebola often mimic malaria and typhoid, beginning with fever, severe fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. As the illness advances, patients may suffer vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, organ failure, and in severe cases, both internal and external bleeding.
