Congo confirms new case of Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a new case of Ebola virus in eastern Congo on Friday.

The new case was confirmed in Beni, a city in the northeastern part of Congo, which is the epicenter of Ebola, and also the new Coronavirus.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been plagued with the Ebola virus outbreak since 2019, was set to declare the end of the outbreak when a new case was confirmed just three days before the announcement.

The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom, had mentioned on his Twitter handle that the declaration was  planned for Monday, 13th April, 2020 after no case was recorded for straight 52 days in the country.

Tedros Adhanom wrote on his Twitter page:

"Today I convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC. After 52 days without a case, surveillance & response teams on the ground have confirmed a new case. We have been preparing for and expecting more cases."

"Unfortunately, this means the government of #DRC will not be able to declare an end to the #Ebola outbreak on Monday, as hoped."
"But @WHO remains on the ground and committed as ever to working with the government, affected communities and our partners to end the outbreak."

Today I convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC. After 52 days without a case, surveillance & response teams on the ground have confirmed a new case. We have been preparing for and expecting more cases.

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 10, 2020

Unfortunately, this means the government of #DRC will not be able to declare an end to the #Ebola outbreak on Monday, as hoped.

But @WHO remains on the ground and committed as ever to working with the government, affected communities and our partners to end the outbreak.

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 10, 2020