The death toll from an outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola virus has risen to 88 in the Republic of Congo’s Cuvette-Ouest province, near the border with Gabon, the health ministry announced on Monday.
The health ministry had said on Friday 81 people have died from the disease, which begins with high fever, diarrhoea, bleeding from the nose and gums, and can eventually induce massive internal haemorrhages.
The number of diagnosed cases on Monday rose to 108, from Friday’s figure of 95, the ministry said. The latest outbreak, initially detected on January 4, is believed to have begun when the tribal people of the region ate infected gorilla meat.
There is no known medical cure for Ebola, which can kill up to 90% of its victims in particularly virulent strains, such as the current one. But early treatment of associated symptoms can save some lives. Health officials in Congo have slapped a quarantine on the region, stopping anybody without special permits from travelling
from village to village in a bid to contain the outbreak. – Sapa-AFP