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EBOLA OUTBREAK: 19 deaths confirmed, 39 suspected cases reported in DRC, WHO says

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EBOLA OUTBREAK: 19 deaths confirmed, 39 suspected cases reported in DRC, WHO says

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that no less than 39 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of Ebola have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo between April 4 and May 13.

WHO also says 19 deaths have also been recorded within that period with 393 people who have been identified as contacts of Ebola patients were being followed up.

That much was released in a statement by the world body which also revealed that information about the outbreak in Bikoro, Iboko and Wangata health zones in Equateur province was still limited.

Read also: DRC: 17 feared dead as Ebola outbreak is confirmed

In a related development, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that the world body has been given the go-ahead by officials in the DRC to import and use an experimental Ebola vaccine in the country.

“We have agreement, registration, plus import permit, everything formally agreed already,” Tedros told reporters. “All is ready now to really use it.”

Vaccinations could begin by next Monday, he said.
Reports say the outbreak did not meet the criteria for declaring it a “public health event of international concern”, which would trigger the formation of an emergency WHO committee.

 

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