New Ebola Outbreak Detected In Northwest Democratic Republic of Congo

The year 2020 is a messed up year. The deadly Covid-19 is sweeping across the world, infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands.

Businesses have shut down. People have lost their jobs. Tens of millions have no hope of their lives ever being the same again.

As if Covid-19 is not enough, a new outbreak of Ebola has been reported in the Northwest Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to WHO, the government of DRC has announced an outbreak of the deadly Ebola in Wangata health zone, Mbandaka in Èquateur Province.

The outbreak of Ebola in DRC comes at a time the country is battling Covid-19 as well as the world’s largest measles outbreak.

According to the Ministry of Health in DRC, already six cases have been identified in Wangata. Four have already died while two are admitted in critical condition.

Given the history of Ebola outbreaks in DRC, it is likely that more people will be identified as well more deaths, most of which might have already occurred without the knowledge of the people.

The current outbreak is the 11th outbreak in Congo since the first outbreak in 1976. WHO now says the new outbreak complicates the ongoing fight against measles and Covid-19 in the country.

DRC had declared itself Ebola-free after the last patient was discharged from a hospital in what sparked celebrations within and without the country.

With the world battling Covid-19 and now Ebola, it most likely that the year 2020 is done. Things have decided to go South and the world might never be the same again.

Ebola is more dangerous than Covid-19 given that it spreads faster through contact and body fluids. It also kills mostly within 24 hours of someone getting it. It is common in Congo where the virus strain is found in animals in many parts of the country.

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