At least 15 people have died in a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country’s Health Ministry says the virus was confirmed in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital last month after showing symptoms that included a high fever and vomiting.
The World Health Organization said it was “acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities”.
It adds that four health workers were among the 15 people who had died.
Ebola is a rare but life-threatening infection spread through contact with the body fluids of infected animals or people.
Symptoms start off like the flu, but can progress to: severe bleeding (hemorrhage), neurological disorders (conditions that affect your brain and nerves) and severe vomiting.
According to BBC News, the last Ebola outbreak in DR Congo was three years ago, killing six people.
An outbreak in 2019 was much deadlier, claiming more than 2,000 lives.
