Deaths have been recorded as a result of the outbreak (Image: Getty)
An Ebola outbreak in Africa is being closely monitored after 65 deaths, officials have said. The virus is spreading in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that there have been around 246 suspected cases. Experts are worried that it could circulate further. The severe and often fatal illness spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials or persons who have died from the disease.
The NHS says one of its symptoms is bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose or mouth. Africa CDC experts said they are working with national authorities and partners to support a “rapid, coordinated response”. Preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) have detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested, the African CDC said today.
The results suggest a non-Zaire ebolavirus, with sequencing ongoing to further characterise the strain, it added. Results from this are expected within the next 24 hours. The suspected cases and deaths have occurred mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara.
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Ebola is transmitted via bodily fluids (Image: Getty)
Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases.
In addition, suspected cases have been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation.
“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.
“Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential.
“We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible.”
The CDC added: “Africa CDC is concerned about the risk of further spread due to the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, insecurity in affected areas, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.”
The CDC is convening an “urgent high-level coordination meeting” today, with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, FAO, the United States CDC, the European CDC, China CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Gilead Sciences, Merck & Co., Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Abbott Laboratories, Cepheid, BioNTech, Moderna, Evotec Biologics, CEPI, Gavi, Médecins Sans Frontières, IFRC, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, the Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust.
The meeting will “focus on immediate response priorities, cross-border coordination, surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, risk communication, safe and dignified burials, and resource mobilisation”, officials said.
They added: “Africa CDC is preparing support across key response pillars, including coordination through emergency operations mechanisms, digital surveillance and data management, cross-border preparedness, laboratory coordination, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement.
“In addition, Africa CDC will work with partners to assess the availability and appropriateness of medical countermeasures once sequencing results confirm the exact ebolavirus species.
“Africa CDC is urging communities in affected and at-risk areas to follow guidance from national health authorities, report symptoms promptly, avoid direct contact with suspected cases, and support response teams working to protect communities. Additional information will be provided as they become available and as sequencing results are finalised.”
