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Ebola virus claims 113
26/03/2003 09:23 - (SA)
Nairobi/Brazzaville - The latest outbreak of the Ebola virus has caused 113 deaths in Congo, health officials said on Wednesday in the capital Brazzaville.
The officials said the outbreak of the deadly illness has infected at least 123 people in the Cuvette region since January.
A team of doctors and support staff with supplies has been dispatched to the area to deal with the outbreak. The team will also coordinate education and prevention efforts to slow the epidemic from spreading.
The Ebola virus is often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This can be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, limited kidney and liver functions, and both internal and external bleeding.
Health officials are trying to convince villagers in the area not to eat meat from monkeys, since they believe the animals pass the disease onto humans. A link between gorillas and people infected with Ebola was confirmed earlier this year. - Sapa-DPA
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