Congo: 28 Cases of Ebola virus confirmed

In Congo, 27 people have already died of symptoms associated with the Ebola virus. A targeted vaccination campaign has now been launched.

Congo: 28 Cases of Ebola virus confirmed

28 Fälledes Ebola virus has been confirmed in Central African Congo. So far re have been 51 suspected cases, in case of 28 pathogen was detected, it was said in a communication of Ministry of Health. In 21 cases, Hieltendie authorities have Ebola infection for likely to be possible in 2 WeiterenFällen. 27 people have already died of symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever and bleeding. Four of m confirmed virus.

A targeted vaccination campaign with an experimental vaccine had been launched on Monday in Congo. About 600 people are to be vaccinated to Congolese Gesundheitsministeriumzufolge. These are mainly employees vonGesundheitseinrichtungen and persons who were in contact with infected.

Some helpers are to be sent to DerEpidemie centres in country. "The priority DerRegierung is that all se courageous and professional medical personnel can do ir job safely," SagteGesundheitsminister Oly Ilunga.

This is already derneunte Ebola outbreak in Congo over past 40 years, however virus has occurred for first time in a city. The World Health Organization (WHO) intensified its Risikowarnungfür to a "very high" spread in Congo. Ebola belongs to to most dangerous pathogens in world. By Eineverheerende epidemic in years 2014 and 2015 died in Liberia, Guinea UndSierra Leone more than 11,000 people.

Facts about Ebola How contagious is Ebola?

The Ebolaerreger is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine as well as perspiration and tear fluid . Doctors talk about a smear infection. However, virus can only spread from person to person as soon as infected first symptoms of disease show up. Until this happens, it can take up to three weeks .

A sick person infects on average up to two more persons. The disease is thus spreading slower than about measles.

In first phase of outbreak, Ebola resembles a flu. The patients have high fever, diarrhea and vomiting, and y also complain of muscular pain. In later course of disease, internal bleeding to organ failure often occurs, which can lead to death. Depending on Ebola, re are five different virus species – between 60 and 90 percent of those affected.

Treatment and vaccines

The pathogen is detected with a blood test . However, this requires specialized laboratories.

So far, no remedyexists, doctors can only relieve symptoms. They try, for example, to balance fluid balance, to relieve kidneys and to combat additional bacterial infections with antibiotics. Researchers are currently working intensively on drugs that specifically counteract virus.

Where does virus come from?

The Ebola virus is named after a river in Congo, where it came to first outbreak of 1976. At first outbreak, 318 people were infected, 280 died. In same year, disease occurred in neighboring Sudan : There died 151 of 284 patients.

The fact that Ebola virus already existed earlier in former Zaire was shown in 1977. At that time, pathogen could be detected in body of a doctor who had died five years earlier from a puzzling fever after autopsieding body of a young man and injuring himself with his finger.

In year 2013 , largest Ebolaausbruchwas developed in West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. 11,310 people died in following months, almost 29,000 infected mselves.

Date Of Update: 23 May 2018, 12:02
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