The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced the finding of a confirmed new case of Ebola Viral Disease in an urban area of DRC, Wangata. Until now, all the confirmed Ebola cases had been reported from Bikoro health zone, which is also in the Equateur Province but at a distance of nearly 150 km from Mbandaka. The arrival of Ebola in an urban area is very concerning as quoted by the World Health Organisation and action is ongoing by the WHO and partners to scale up the search for all contacts of the confirmed case in the Mbandaka area.
The Maltese health authorities have a contingency plan for action in such situations.
The public is being reminded to avoid nonessential travel to the affected areas. If travel is unavoidable, the following advice is recommended:
- Avoid direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of a patient or a corpse and with objects possibly contaminated;
- Avoid close contact with wild animals and consumption of 'bush meat';
- Avoid having unprotected sexual intercourse;
- Practice careful hygiene.
If a person stayed in the affected areas, he/she should contact the Public Health Authorities on 21324086 at the first sign of illness (fever, headache, achiness, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, red eyes, and in some cases, bleeding) if this is within 21 days of departure from the country.