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(Newser)
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The Congolese Ministry of Health confirmed a case of Ebola in Goma on Sunday night, marking the first time that the virus has reached the city of more than 2 million people along the Rwandan border since the beginning of the war. epidemic almost a year ago. According to the Ministry of Health, the man, who arrived earlier Sunday in the regional capital, was quickly transported to an Ebola treatment center. The authorities claim to have found all bus passengers that the man took to Goma from Butembo, one of the cities hardest hit by the disease, according to the AP. "Because of the speed with which the patient was identified and isolated, and the identification of all other passengers of the bus coming from Butembo, the risk of spread in the rest of the city of Goma is low, "said the Ministry of Health in a statement. declaration.
The virus killed more than 1,600 people in Congo and two others who returned home across the border to Uganda. Health experts have long been worried about going to Goma. Ministries of health in Congo's neighboring countries have been preparing for the possibility of cases for months and front-line health workers have already been vaccinated. The confirmed case announced Sunday night concerns a pastor who fell ill last Tuesday before leaving Butembo by bus, announced the Ministry of Health. Violent attacks on health workers and treatment facilities have seriously undermined efforts to combat the epidemic in Butembo. Eastern Congo is home to a myriad of armed groups and Mai Mai militia fighters are active near the hardest hit cities. Health teams have not been able to access areas of violence to vaccinate people at risk of infection and to isolate infected patients.
(Read more stories about Ebola.)
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