Goma Ebola patient dead
The first patient to be infected with Ebola in Goma in the DRC has died.
This was confirmed by North Kivu province's Governor Carly Nzanzu in an Ebola response meeting yesterday (Tuesday 16 July). "Unfortunately, I can confirm that the patient died," he said. "He died during transfer by road."
According to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry, the patient, a pastor, had preached at seven churches during his visit to Butembo. The World Health Organization said that health officials had identified 60 people who had come into contact with the pastor since he was taken ill and that half of them had been vaccinated.
Minister of Health in the Cabinet of Rwanda Diane Gashumba said that 2,600 health workers have been vaccinated. She also advised vigilance: “This Ebola epidemic has now reached close to Rwanda. There is a need to be more vigilant and to avoid unnecessary visits to Goma.”
Communities have been advised by officials to take precautions such as hand washing and avoiding physical contact with anyone suspected of being contaminated with the virus.