Congo government declares Ebola outbreak in south

Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:42pm GMT

[-] Text [+]

KINSHASA, Dec. 25 (Reuters) - A mysterious disease that has killed nine people in southern Democratic Republic of Congo has been identified as the deadly Ebola virus, the Congolese health minister said on Thursday.

The virus appeared in southern Western Kasai province on Nov. 27, and blood and stool samples were sent to laboratories in Gabon and South Africa for identification.

"Following the analysis of samples taken in (the village of) Kalwamba, it is now recognised that we are facing an epidemic of the viral haemorrhagic fever Ebola," said health minister Auguste Mopipi Mukulumanya.

There is no cure or treatment for Ebola, which kills 50 to 90 percent of its victims. (Reporting by Joe Bavier; editing by Daniel Magnowski and Nita Bhalla)

AFRICA BLOGS

Polo sets out its stall in Lagos

Polo has a large and growing following in Nigeria and every year fans get the chance to see some of the country’s best players at the Lagos International Polo tournament. Blog

‘New moment of promise’ for Africa?

U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech to Africa in Accra had plenty to say on the importance of good governance – but there was also a very strong message that his “new moment of promise” is one that Africans have to seize for themselves. Blog

Is Obama Africa’s saviour?

Is Africa looking to the wrong man to be a saviour, simply because he has such a close connection to Africa through his Kenyan father? Blog

Squandered oil wealth, an African tragedy

Equatorial Guinea is a tiny country of about half a million people on the west coast of Africa, but is the fourth-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa. Oil money gives the country the means to be a model for development and human rights...But Commentary

What can Africa expect from the G8?

Is the developed world to blame for the economic difficulties the world’s poorest are facing? If so, what should it do? And should Africa be compensated for climate change? Blog

Black or white?

Nowhere was Michael Jackson mourned more than in Africa. Young and old, people wept openly when news broke of his death, struck by disbelief and sadness. His funeral was followed across the continent anywhere that a television set could be found. Blog

Latest AlertNet Crises News

Chad readies forces to strike rebels in Sudan

Madagascar's president says Gaddafi supports him

SOMALIA: Al-Shabab's pyrrhic victory?

Sri Lanka confirms Tamil Tiger leader is dead

Chad readies forces to strike rebels in Sudan

Powered by Reuters AlertNet. AlertNet provides news, images and insight from the world's disasters and conflicts and is brought to you by Reuters Foundation.