The image of Ebola virus, a member of filovirus, with 90% death rate. (Image via: Healthline)

Ebola Plagues Congo, 1 Ugandan Boy Dead

UGANDA - Africa had it hard with Ebola. Democratic Republic (DR) Congo was currently struggling against the plague. In the country, 2,000 cases of ebola were found. The first case of ebola outbreak in Congo started about August 2018. The outbreak marked the 10th since the first identification of ebola was made in 1976.

Ebola has an effective death rate, up to 90%. The disease’s deadliness is due to hemorrhagic fever (HF) that it causes once it infected the sufferer. It transfers from animal to human, and it spread through human to human physical contact. The symptoms are excessive vomiting, rash, kidney failure, liver failure, and external/internal bleeding.

Ugandan Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, confirmed on Wednesday (12/6) that 1 boy (5) fell as victim to the filovirus in Uganda. Allegedly, the boy was exposed to the virus while travelling to Congo with his family relatives in Congo.

The family’s relative was soon passed away as well due to ebola. This was the alleged cause of the outbreak.

As soon as they went back to Uganda, the boy showed signs of ebola infection. The situation got worse when the boy vomited blood. Unfortunately, since treatment for ebola is still being developed, none could be done for the boy.

After being tested, the boy’s grandmother and younger brother (3) were also positive for ebola. About 8 other people were being isolated, after having been in contact with the exposed family.

World Health Organization (WHO) once delayed an international meeting to discuss about raising ebola status to “International Concern”, due to ebola’s outbreak was limited only to eastern border of DR Congo.

Nonetheless, looking at the possible cases and deaths, WHO would decide this Friday (14/6) whether or not they would hold a meeting.

Should the meeting be in motion, the African could sigh in relief, since the treatment for the virus can be developed more quickly.

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2019/06/685_270543.html