Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Equateur Province) (Update 1)
17 May 2018
On 17 May 2018 the World Health Organisation
confirmed 1 new case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Wangata, part of Mbandaka (Equateur Province), a city which is said to have a population of nearly 1.2 million people.
The other 2 confirmed Ebola cases in the current outbreak were reported from Bikoro health zone, which is also in Equateur Province but nearly 150 km away from Mbandaka.
This latest confirmed case, along with another probable case in Mbandaka identified at the same brings the total number of cases to 3 confirmed, 20 probable, and 21 suspected.
Advice to travellers
When Ebola outbreaks occur generally the risk of travellers becoming infected or developing Ebola virus disease is extremely low.
Travellers returning from tropical countries should always seek rapid medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache, diarrhoea or general malaise) within three weeks after return, and be reminded to mention to their health care provider that they have recently travelled.
For further information see Viral Haemorrhagic Fever.