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No Ebola cases found on quarantined river boat, Congo authorities say
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Health authorities in Congo confirmed no Ebola cases among over 200 passengers quarantined on a river boat near Kinshasa, easing fears of the virus spreading to the capital.
- The quarantine followed the death of a traveler who had Ebola-like symptoms after disembarking in Pimu, over 1,000 kilometers from Kinshasa; all suspected cases tested negative for the Bundibugyo virus.
- Congo is experiencing its second-largest Ebola outbreak, with more than 4,200 confirmed cases and over 1,900 deaths since May, noted as the fastest in history in terms of transmission speed.
- Health experts warn the outbreak is spreading faster than containment efforts, with 60-70% of new cases outside monitored contacts, and organizations like Doctors Without Borders emphasize the need for faster response to break transmission chains.
- Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids and contaminated materials, making containment challenging, especially in regions with limited healthcare access.
