AFRICA/CONGO - Infected monkey meat could be the cause of new outbreak of Ebola. In Congo nine people died of Ebola in April and new cases await confirmation. For this virus which is mortal in 60 to 90 percent of cases, there is no treatment or vaccine

Rome (Fides Service) - The news of another outbreak of Ebola had been circulating for a couple of weeks but World Health Organisation WHO experts were cautious about confirming the report. Now it is official, the lethal virus caused the death of nine people in Congo in early April.
The people were all from the area of west Cuvette, where 150 died of Ebola in 2003. WHO said that of the eleven cases reported last month, one was confirmed as Ebola by laboratory tests test, and the remaining 10 were traced to the same viral strain. Experts say infected monkey meat could be the cause of the outbreak in the Cuvette area.
At least 81 people in the towns of Etoumbi and Mbomo are being monitored. Etoumbi has not been put in quarantine but people leaving or entering the town are checked by the health-authorities. Information campaigns on the danger of eating wild animal meat have been organised and alternative food supplies are being distributed.
The Ebola virus is mortal in 60 to 90 percent of cases and there is no treatment or vaccine against it.
(AP) (19/5/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:22; Parole:247)