The second-largest Ebola outbreak on record is over after nearly two years and more than 2,200 deaths, Democratic Republic of Congo said on Thursday, even as a separate flare-up of the virus continued on the other side of the country.

Despite effective vaccines and treatments that dramatically boosted survival rates, the outbreak dragged on as first responders struggled to gain access to virus hotspots in Congo’s restive east.

“Compared to previous outbreaks, this last one was the longest, the most complex and the deadliest,” Health Minister Eteni Longondo told reporters.

Congo has suffered 11 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was discovered near the Ebola River in 1976, more than double any other country.

Its equatorial forests are a natural reservoir for the virus, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and is spread through contact with body fluids.

This outbreak saw 3,463 confirmed and probable cases and 2,277 deaths.

“It wasn’t easy and at times it seemed like mission impossible,” said Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Africa regional director.

Even as health officials celebrated the end of one Ebola epidemic, they face another, unrelated one more than 1,000 km (620 miles) away in the western city of Mbandaka.

That outbreak, declared on June 1, has seen up to 24 cases so far, including 13 deaths.

Longondo he said he expected the response there to be easier because it is in a more stable part of the country where a previous epidemic in 2018 was quickly controlled.

In eastern Congo, some community leaders and local residents were suspicious of the response because they believed Ebola did not exist or resented being overlooked by donors.

Treatment centres were attacked by militia fighters who are active near Congo’s borders with Uganda and Rwanda, and by angry local residents.

The largest Ebola outbreak in history occurred in West Africa from 2013-2016. It killed over 11,300 people mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The second-largest Ebola outbreak on record is over after nearly two years and more than 2,200 deaths, Democratic Republic of Congo said on Thursday, even as a separate flare-up of the virus continued on the other side of the country.

The second-largest Ebola outbreak on record is over after nearly two years and more than 2,200 deaths, Democratic Republic of Congo said on Thursday, even as a separate flare-up of the virus continued on the other side of the country. Despite effective vaccines and treatments that dramatically boosted survival rates, the outbreak dragged on as first responders struggled to gain access to virus hotspots in Congo’s restive east. “Compared to previous outbreaks, this last one was the longest, the most complex and the deadliest,” Health Minister Eteni Longondo told reporters. Congo has suffered 11 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was discovered near the Ebola River in 1976, more than double any other country. Its equatorial forests are a natural reservoir for the virus, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and is spread through contact with body fluids. This outbreak saw 3,463 confirmed and probable cases and 2,277 deaths. “It wasn’t easy and at times it seemed like mission impossible,” said Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Africa regional director. Even as health officials celebrated the end of one Ebola epidemic, they face another, unrelated one more than 1,000 km (620 miles) away in the western city of Mbandaka. That outbreak, declared on June 1, has seen up to 24 cases so far, including 13 deaths. Longondo he said he expected the response there to be easier because it is in a more stable part of the country where a previous epidemic in 2018 was quickly controlled. In eastern Congo, some community leaders and local residents were suspicious of the response because they believed Ebola did not exist or resented being overlooked by donors. Treatment centres were attacked by militia fighters who are active near Congo’s borders with Uganda and Rwanda, and by angry local residents. The largest Ebola outbreak in history occurred in West Africa from 2013-2016. It killed over 11,300 people mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Congo announces end of Ebola outbreak in east, second deadliest on record

Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo's southeastern mining heartland are boosting efforts to tackle child labour amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could drive more families to put their children to work in mines, officials said.

Congo is Africa's main producer of copper and the top global source of cobalt, accounting for two-thirds of global supplies of the metal used in smartphones and electric car batteries.

Mining accounts for 32% of Congo's national output and the economy has been hard hit by the pandemic, which has slowed demand for metals and other raw materials.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/congo-court-sentences-presidents-chief-of-staff-to-20-years-in-prison-307337" hreflang="en">Congo court sentences president's chief of staff to 20 years in prison</a>

The slump means mining workers are earning a fraction of what they did before the outbreak, and are more likely to take their children to work, according to activists and academics.

"Economic activity has been paralysed during this health crisis and this will have a negative impact on parents' income," said Mathieu Kazembe Sawana Ilunga, the official who oversees the economy and industry in the southeastern Lualaba province.

"But this must not be used as justification for the presence of children in mines," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Tens of thousands of children as young as six work without protective gear in artisanal mines in the country's southeast, according to rights groups including Amnesty International.

About 15% of children aged 5 to 17 across Congo are engaged in child labour - with most doing dangerous work - a 2019 report by the National Institute of Statistics found.

Children in Congo are permitted by law to work from the age of 16 if they are deemed fit to do so by labour inspectors.

Nathalie Lunda Ngandu, the official in charge of social affairs, gender and family issues in Lualaba, said she shared the concerns of activists about a rise in child labour at mines.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/congo-reports-fresh-ebola-outbreak-three-weeks-before-plans-to-proclaim-the-country-disease-free-302415" hreflang="en">Congo reports fresh Ebola outbreak three weeks before plans to proclaim the country disease-free</a>

Authorities will address the soaring cost of basic necessities, raise awareness in communities and at mining sites, and improve monitoring systems for child labour, Ngandu said.

Congo launched new monitoring and tracing mechanisms in 2018 to tackle child labour in mineral production. They apply both to artisanal mines and operations run by large mining companies.

"We will also spearhead two major activities with elected representatives and traditional and local authorities so they get involved ... in the fight against the worst forms of child labour, particularly in the context of COVID-19," Ngandu added.

Together, Lualaba and neighbouring Haut-Katanga account for nearly all of Congo's output of cobalt. Exports fell by 15.2% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year.&nbsp;

Roger-Claude Liwanga - a researcher at Harvard University who has studied child labour in Congolese mines - said authorities were "often in denial" about child miners, and urged them to distribute free food to prevent the practice worsening.

Civil society groups this month said many mines were forcing workers to stay on site - to avoid coronavirus outbreaks - and providing insufficient food and water and inadequate housing, while protective equipment and hygiene measures were lacking.&nbsp;

Congo has so far confirmed about 5,925 cases and 135 deaths.

Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo's southeastern mining heartland are boosting efforts to tackle child labour amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could drive more families to put their children to work in mines, officials said.

Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo's southeastern mining heartland are boosting efforts to tackle child labour amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could drive more families to put their children to work in mines, officials said. Congo is Africa's main producer of copper and the top global source of cobalt, accounting for two-thirds of global supplies of the metal used in smartphones and electric car batteries. Mining accounts for 32% of Congo's national output and the economy has been hard hit by the pandemic, which has slowed demand for metals and other raw materials. Also read: Congo court sentences president's chief of staff to 20 years in prison The slump means mining workers are earning a fraction of what they did before the outbreak, and are more likely to take their children to work, according to activists and academics. "Economic activity has been paralysed during this health crisis and this will have a negative impact on parents' income," said Mathieu Kazembe Sawana Ilunga, the official who oversees the economy and industry in the southeastern Lualaba province. "But this must not be used as justification for the presence of children in mines," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Tens of thousands of children as young as six work without protective gear in artisanal mines in the country's southeast, according to rights groups including Amnesty International. About 15% of children aged 5 to 17 across Congo are engaged in child labour - with most doing dangerous work - a 2019 report by the National Institute of Statistics found. Children in Congo are permitted by law to work from the age of 16 if they are deemed fit to do so by labour inspectors. Nathalie Lunda Ngandu, the official in charge of social affairs, gender and family issues in Lualaba, said she shared the concerns of activists about a rise in child labour at mines. Also read: Congo reports fresh Ebola outbreak three weeks before plans to proclaim the country disease-free Authorities will address the soaring cost of basic necessities, raise awareness in communities and at mining sites, and improve monitoring systems for child labour, Ngandu said. Congo launched new monitoring and tracing mechanisms in 2018 to tackle child labour in mineral production. They apply both to artisanal mines and operations run by large mining companies. "We will also spearhead two major activities with elected representatives and traditional and local authorities so they get involved ... in the fight against the worst forms of child labour, particularly in the context of COVID-19," Ngandu added. Together, Lualaba and neighbouring Haut-Katanga account for nearly all of Congo's output of cobalt. Exports fell by 15.2% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year. Roger-Claude Liwanga - a researcher at Harvard University who has studied child labour in Congolese mines - said authorities were "often in denial" about child miners, and urged them to distribute free food to prevent the practice worsening. Civil society groups this month said many mines were forcing workers to stay on site - to avoid coronavirus outbreaks - and providing insufficient food and water and inadequate housing, while protective equipment and hygiene measures were lacking. Congo has so far confirmed about 5,925 cases and 135 deaths.

Congo officials vow to tackle child labour at mines as virus threatens spike

Destructive conflicts and persecutions uproot thousands of people from their homes and countries every year. According to the United Nations, every minute, 20 people are forced to leave everything behind and avoid conflict and war.

World Refugee Day 2020: Stories of the people who got displaced from their own countries

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said.

Vital Kamerhe, once a future presidential hopeful, is the most senior politician convicted of graft in Congo, where high-level corruption is endemic. He now faces 20 years of hard labour.

"The court has established as fact the offence of embezzlement of public funds relating to the amount of $48,831,148," said presiding judge Pierrot Bankenge Mvita wearing a mask and rubber gloves.

Kamerhe denies stealing money earmarked for social housing under President Felix Tshisekedi’s flagship 100-day building programme, and has dismissed the accusations as political. His lawyer, Jean Marie Kabengela Ilunga, called the verdict a "violation of human rights" and said he would appeal.

Kamerhe, a veteran power broker, appeared at the three-hour outdoor court hearing in a blue and yellow prison jacket and also wore a mask to protect against the new coronavirus. 
He backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for Tshisekedi’s support the next time around in 2023. Under the ruling, Kamerhe will not be able to run for president for ten years after his punishment.

His arrest on April 8 sent shock waves through the nation.

Last week the justice minister revealed that the former presiding judge, who was originally said to have died of a heart attack last month, was actually brutally murdered.

Transparency groups and the international community had been pressurising Tshisekedi to fulfil his campaign promise of clamping down on corruption, political analysts say.

"I sincerely think that this is a positive sign for the fight against corruption," said Florimond Muteba from the Observatory of Public Expenditure, a Congolese transparency group.&nbsp;

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said. Vital Kamerhe, once a future presidential hopeful, is the most senior politician convicted of graft in Congo, where high-level corruption is endemic. He now faces 20 years of hard labour. "The court has established as fact the offence of embezzlement of public funds relating to the amount of $48,831,148," said presiding judge Pierrot Bankenge Mvita wearing a mask and rubber gloves. Kamerhe denies stealing money earmarked for social housing under President Felix Tshisekedi’s flagship 100-day building programme, and has dismissed the accusations as political. His lawyer, Jean Marie Kabengela Ilunga, called the verdict a "violation of human rights" and said he would appeal. Kamerhe, a veteran power broker, appeared at the three-hour outdoor court hearing in a blue and yellow prison jacket and also wore a mask to protect against the new coronavirus. He backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for Tshisekedi’s support the next time around in 2023. Under the ruling, Kamerhe will not be able to run for president for ten years after his punishment. His arrest on April 8 sent shock waves through the nation. Last week the justice minister revealed that the former presiding judge, who was originally said to have died of a heart attack last month, was actually brutally murdered. Transparency groups and the international community had been pressurising Tshisekedi to fulfil his campaign promise of clamping down on corruption, political analysts say. "I sincerely think that this is a positive sign for the fight against corruption," said Florimond Muteba from the Observatory of Public Expenditure, a Congolese transparency group.

Congo court sentences president's chief of staff to 20 years in prison

Nearly 30,000 people in Belgium have signed a couple of petitions to remove statues King Leopold II, their colonial-era ruler. His troops decimated Congo in the late 1800s. This move was inspired by global protests raged by the death of unarmed black American George Floyd.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/coronavirus-crisis-can-trigger-collapse-of-25-trillion-fossil-fuel-industry-303280" hreflang="en">Coronavirus crisis can trigger collapse of $25 trillion fossil fuel industry</a>

One of the online petition was started by a 14-year-old boy named Noah through a photo-sharing app Instagram, demand the removal of the statues across Brussels and a bust in the city of Halle.

"We are minors and do not wish to reveal our identities. This is why we are looking for an organisation ... to represent us," told Noah told Reuters.&nbsp;

His petition in French and Dutch on change.org calls for the removal by end-June, saying Leopold II has no place in multicultural Brussels, which bills itself as the capital of Europe.

A series of protests broke out in the United States and some European countries after the death of George Floyd on May 25 after a police officer knelt on his neck.&nbsp;

In the Belgian city of Ghent, a bust of Leopold II was covered in red paint which read "I can't breathe" which were the final words of Floyd.&nbsp;

According to many Belgian youths, they are ashamed of Leopold's massacre in Congo that killed millions after colonising it between 1885 and 1908 continues to be honoured. Congolese were shot by troops for resisting slavery and some were sent to Human zoo in Belgium.&nbsp;

Nearly 30,000 people in Belgium have signed a couple of petitions to remove statues King Leopold II, their colonial-era ruler. His troops decimated Congo in the late 1800s.

Nearly 30,000 people in Belgium have signed a couple of petitions to remove statues King Leopold II, their colonial-era ruler. His troops decimated Congo in the late 1800s. This move was inspired by global protests raged by the death of unarmed black American George Floyd. Also read: Coronavirus crisis can trigger collapse of $25 trillion fossil fuel industry One of the online petition was started by a 14-year-old boy named Noah through a photo-sharing app Instagram, demand the removal of the statues across Brussels and a bust in the city of Halle. "We are minors and do not wish to reveal our identities. This is why we are looking for an organisation ... to represent us," told Noah told Reuters. His petition in French and Dutch on change.org calls for the removal by end-June, saying Leopold II has no place in multicultural Brussels, which bills itself as the capital of Europe. A series of protests broke out in the United States and some European countries after the death of George Floyd on May 25 after a police officer knelt on his neck. In the Belgian city of Ghent, a bust of Leopold II was covered in red paint which read "I can't breathe" which were the final words of Floyd. According to many Belgian youths, they are ashamed of Leopold's massacre in Congo that killed millions after colonising it between 1885 and 1908 continues to be honoured. Congolese were shot by troops for resisting slavery and some were sent to Human zoo in Belgium.

Inspired by US protests, Belgian youths sign petition against removal of King Leopold II statues

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which continues to decimate economies and kill scores of population across the globe, a new kind of medical storm is brewing in a Central African country - Democratic Republic of Congo.

A new outbreak of Ebola was reported in the country’s northwestern areas, news agency AFP reported. The country is currently dealing with the coronavirus outbreak in the eastern parts. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/in-the-shadow-of-ebola-and-covid-19-measles-rips-through-congo-288051" hreflang="en">In the shadow of Ebola and Covid-19, measles rips through Congo</a>

This resurgence has taken the lives of four people in the city of Mbandaka, the Health Minister Eteni Longondo said in a press conference.

"The National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) has confirmed to me that samples from Mbandaka tested positive for Ebola... We will send them the vaccine and medicine very quickly" Longondo said.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e75563b2-561a-4a9f-a53d-6d8fe188a0d0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-4_4.jpg" /> 
A girl is getting inoculated with an Ebola vaccine on November 22, 2019 in Goma | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Mbandaka is the capital of Congo’s Equateur province, which serves as a transport hub alongside the Congo river and houses over a million people.&nbsp;Ebola had hit the same province in the summer months of May and July in 2018, which claimed the lives of 33 people.

Since surfacing, the Ebola epidemic has killed 2,280 people in the country’s eastern region. The government was planning to announce the country Ebola free on June 25, but with new cases resurfacing, the country has to continue fighting it.&nbsp;A similar situation had&nbsp;come up in April this year when the country was three days away from declaring itself free of Ebola.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/coronavirus-much-much-worse-says-peter-piot-ebola-discoverer-286205" hreflang="en">Coronavirus much, much worse, says Peter Piot, Ebola discoverer</a>

"This is a province that has already experienced the disease. They know how to respond. They started the response at the local level yesterday (Sunday)," Longondo said.

If no cases are reported for 42 days in a row, the country would be able to declare itself free of ebola.

This marks the eleventh outbreak in the country since 1976.

Alongside ebola, the country is battling the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed over 72 and infected over 3,000 so far.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which continues to decimate economies and kill scores of population across the globe, a new kind of medical storm is brewing in a Central African country - Democratic Republic of Congo.

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which continues to decimate economies and kill scores of population across the globe, a new kind of medical storm is brewing in a Central African country - Democratic Republic of Congo. A new outbreak of Ebola was reported in the country’s northwestern areas, news agency AFP reported. The country is currently dealing with the coronavirus outbreak in the eastern parts. Also read: In the shadow of Ebola and Covid-19, measles rips through Congo This resurgence has taken the lives of four people in the city of Mbandaka, the Health Minister Eteni Longondo said in a press conference. "The National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) has confirmed to me that samples from Mbandaka tested positive for Ebola... We will send them the vaccine and medicine very quickly" Longondo said. A girl is getting inoculated with an Ebola vaccine on November 22, 2019 in Goma | AFP Mbandaka is the capital of Congo’s Equateur province, which serves as a transport hub alongside the Congo river and houses over a million people. Ebola had hit the same province in the summer months of May and July in 2018, which claimed the lives of 33 people. Since surfacing, the Ebola epidemic has killed 2,280 people in the country’s eastern region. The government was planning to announce the country Ebola free on June 25, but with new cases resurfacing, the country has to continue fighting it. A similar situation had come up in April this year when the country was three days away from declaring itself free of Ebola. Also read: Coronavirus much, much worse, says Peter Piot, Ebola discoverer "This is a province that has already experienced the disease. They know how to respond. They started the response at the local level yesterday (Sunday)," Longondo said. If no cases are reported for 42 days in a row, the country would be able to declare itself free of ebola. This marks the eleventh outbreak in the country since 1976. Alongside ebola, the country is battling the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed over 72 and infected over 3,000 so far. (With inputs from AFP)

Congo reports fresh Ebola outbreak three weeks before plans to proclaim the country disease-free

Thomas the Tank Engine beams from the front of Dobo Mambanza's ripped pullover. Unlike the cartoon train's face, Dobo's is blistered and scrunched as she struggles for breath, her eyes shuttered and weeping. The three-year-old is going blind.

Cradled by her mother, Dobo lies in the ward of a health centre in a remote town in northern Democratic Republic of Congo where mosquito nets on sticks droop over rusting metal beds, and doctors work frantically to contain a deadly virus.

Dobo does not have the new coronavirus or Ebola. She has measles, a preventable but extremely contagious disease that since January 2019 has ripped through Congo unchecked into remote regions. Some 6,400 people have died, according to official figures, though healthcare workers say the number is likely much higher because reporting rates are so low.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-donates-720000-masks-to-health-workers-287990" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg donates 720,000 masks to health workers</a>

"I feel guilty because I’m afraid people might say it’s because I didn't get my daughter treatment quickly," Dobo’s mother Wanea Mabele said over her writhing child’s rattling breath.

Mabele is hardly to blame. Underfunded and delayed government vaccination drives in the vast Central African nation have left millions of hard-to-reach children vulnerable.

Dud vaccines have left thousands of others at risk without knowing, local and international health workers say, in a nation of 81 million people that is ten times the size of Britain.

Coronavirus, Ebola divert attention

Complicating matters, authorities have funnelled hundreds of millions of dollars and manpower into a 19-month Ebola outbreak in the east that has killed over 2,000 people, weakening efforts to contain measles, health officials say. Ebola is finally on the wane, but COVID-19 threatens to steal the limelight.

After a first case in the capital Kinshasa this month, reported infections rose to 18 by the weekend.

"Priority will be given to COVID-19 in the coming weeks or months depending on the trend of the disease. Consequently, we will face challenges in resources mobilization for measles," said Vincent Sodjinou, who leads the measles response for the World Heath Organization (WHO).

Measles is on the rise globally, but Congo is worst hit.

The disease, contracted when a carrier coughs or sneezes, carries risks of brain damage, blindness and deafness.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-lockdown-due-to-coronavirus-is-the-world-staring-at-another-great-depression-287950" hreflang="en">With lockdown due to coronavirus, is the world staring at another Great Depression?</a>

Dobo’s ward sits among the palm and mango trees of Busu-Mandji, a dilapidated old colonial town deep in the jungle, 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) from Kinshasa. The nearest paved road is 125 km south in the city of Lisala.

Keeping vaccines refrigerated for the duration of the journey from the capital is vital but tricky. On a recent vaccination campaign, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) flew 2,700 vials to Lisala in large cool boxes fitted with digital thermometers to ensure the temperature remains between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius in the equatorial heat.

In Lisala, the boxes were lashed to the back of a dozen motorbikes for a ten-hour ride along bamboo-thronged dirt tracks and precarious log bridges too pitted for 4X4 vehicles.

During the 10-hour ride to Busu-Mandji, the convoy was halted by three flat tyres, engine trouble and a broken chain. MSF workers said the vaccines remained in the right temperature range.

Tiny Graves

Congo's government has year-round vaccination campaigns, but there was no emergency response targeting high risk areas until an October-December 2019 campaign. When the government vaccines did finally come, health workers say some may have overheated.

Malnutrition and poorly-trained health workers make the vaccine, normally 85% effective, less efficient.

The health ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Mada Maddow lives at the edge of Macau, a village near Busu-Mandji where front gardens are peppered with tiny plots of freshly-turned earth, each a child's grave.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-inadequate-testing-techniques-causing-silent-carriers-to-spread-covid-19-288044" hreflang="en">Are inadequate testing techniques causing 'silent carriers' to spread COVID-19?</a>

Her seven children were vaccinated in the December campaign, she said, but they all subsequently contracted measles. One died.

It is unclear why the vaccines failed.

Official statistics suggest 100% of children have been vaccinated in the area, said Mushadi Gidion, a local official from the health ministry.

But that calculation is based on 1984 census data: health workers have no idea how many children actually need vaccinating, and there is no data on the effectiveness of the vaccine after it is administered in this setting.

"There can be many causes that can lead to the epidemic," Mushadi said. "Perhaps our vaccination campaign was not of high quality."

Thomas the Tank Engine beams from the front of Dobo Mambanza's ripped pullover. Unlike the cartoon train's face, Dobo's is blistered and scrunched as she struggles for breath, her eyes shuttered and weeping.

Thomas the Tank Engine beams from the front of Dobo Mambanza's ripped pullover. Unlike the cartoon train's face, Dobo's is blistered and scrunched as she struggles for breath, her eyes shuttered and weeping. The three-year-old is going blind. Cradled by her mother, Dobo lies in the ward of a health centre in a remote town in northern Democratic Republic of Congo where mosquito nets on sticks droop over rusting metal beds, and doctors work frantically to contain a deadly virus. Dobo does not have the new coronavirus or Ebola. She has measles, a preventable but extremely contagious disease that since January 2019 has ripped through Congo unchecked into remote regions. Some 6,400 people have died, according to official figures, though healthcare workers say the number is likely much higher because reporting rates are so low. Also read: Coronavirus: Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg donates 720,000 masks to health workers "I feel guilty because I’m afraid people might say it’s because I didn't get my daughter treatment quickly," Dobo’s mother Wanea Mabele said over her writhing child’s rattling breath. Mabele is hardly to blame. Underfunded and delayed government vaccination drives in the vast Central African nation have left millions of hard-to-reach children vulnerable. Dud vaccines have left thousands of others at risk without knowing, local and international health workers say, in a nation of 81 million people that is ten times the size of Britain. Coronavirus, Ebola divert attention Complicating matters, authorities have funnelled hundreds of millions of dollars and manpower into a 19-month Ebola outbreak in the east that has killed over 2,000 people, weakening efforts to contain measles, health officials say. Ebola is finally on the wane, but COVID-19 threatens to steal the limelight. After a first case in the capital Kinshasa this month, reported infections rose to 18 by the weekend. "Priority will be given to COVID-19 in the coming weeks or months depending on the trend of the disease. Consequently, we will face challenges in resources mobilization for measles," said Vincent Sodjinou, who leads the measles response for the World Heath Organization (WHO). Measles is on the rise globally, but Congo is worst hit. The disease, contracted when a carrier coughs or sneezes, carries risks of brain damage, blindness and deafness. Also read: With lockdown due to coronavirus, is the world staring at another Great Depression? Dobo’s ward sits among the palm and mango trees of Busu-Mandji, a dilapidated old colonial town deep in the jungle, 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) from Kinshasa. The nearest paved road is 125 km south in the city of Lisala. Keeping vaccines refrigerated for the duration of the journey from the capital is vital but tricky. On a recent vaccination campaign, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) flew 2,700 vials to Lisala in large cool boxes fitted with digital thermometers to ensure the temperature remains between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius in the equatorial heat. In Lisala, the boxes were lashed to the back of a dozen motorbikes for a ten-hour ride along bamboo-thronged dirt tracks and precarious log bridges too pitted for 4X4 vehicles. During the 10-hour ride to Busu-Mandji, the convoy was halted by three flat tyres, engine trouble and a broken chain. MSF workers said the vaccines remained in the right temperature range. Tiny Graves Congo's government has year-round vaccination campaigns, but there was no emergency response targeting high risk areas until an October-December 2019 campaign. When the government vaccines did finally come, health workers say some may have overheated. Malnutrition and poorly-trained health workers make the vaccine, normally 85% effective, less efficient. The health ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Mada Maddow lives at the edge of Macau, a village near Busu-Mandji where front gardens are peppered with tiny plots of freshly-turned earth, each a child's grave. Also read: Are inadequate testing techniques causing 'silent carriers' to spread COVID-19? Her seven children were vaccinated in the December campaign, she said, but they all subsequently contracted measles. One died. It is unclear why the vaccines failed. Official statistics suggest 100% of children have been vaccinated in the area, said Mushadi Gidion, a local official from the health ministry. But that calculation is based on 1984 census data: health workers have no idea how many children actually need vaccinating, and there is no data on the effectiveness of the vaccine after it is administered in this setting. "There can be many causes that can lead to the epidemic," Mushadi said. "Perhaps our vaccination campaign was not of high quality."

In the shadow of Ebola and Covid-19, measles rips through Congo

More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods that have ravaged Republic of Congo since last year, authorities said Saturday.

The government has issued an urgent international appeal after the flooding along the Congo and Ubangi rivers in the country's north, inundating communities and washing away homes and cattle.&nbsp;

President Denis Sassou Nguesso has blamed the weather disaster on "climate disruption" and declared "a state of natural disaster and humanitarian emergency".&nbsp;

On Saturday the government appealed for further help as the number of people affected by the heavy flooding jumped to 213,000 from an earlier estimate of 170,000.&nbsp;

"The challenges are enormous and we are working to provide an effective response. We hope our partners will help us," Christian Aboke-Ndza, cabinet director at the ministry of humanitarian affairs told AFP.&nbsp;

Dozens of people were killed after the floods hit in late 2019, while diseases linked to the flooding have also emerged in some badly-hit areas of the country, also known as Congo-Brazzaville.&nbsp;

The UN has said more than $30.5 million (27.6 million euros) is needed to address the crisis.&nbsp;

Some $7 million has been secured, said Cyr Modeste Kouame from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.&nbsp;

Several hundred tonnes of food aid have been distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) in the area along with cash transfers worth around 300,000 euros ($330,000).&nbsp;

But some warned it was not enough. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Unfortunately, we see today that these efforts are not sufficient," WFP's Congo Brazzaville director Jean-Martin Bauer said.&nbsp;

"The scale and severity of the crisis and its duration over time have been underestimated."&nbsp;

More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods that have ravaged Republic of Congo since last year, authorities said Saturday. The government has issued an urgent international appeal after the flooding along the Congo and Ubangi rivers in the country's north, inundating communities and washing away homes and cattle.

More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods that have ravaged Republic of Congo since last year, authorities said Saturday. The government has issued an urgent international appeal after the flooding along the Congo and Ubangi rivers in the country's north, inundating communities and washing away homes and cattle. President Denis Sassou Nguesso has blamed the weather disaster on "climate disruption" and declared "a state of natural disaster and humanitarian emergency". On Saturday the government appealed for further help as the number of people affected by the heavy flooding jumped to 213,000 from an earlier estimate of 170,000. "The challenges are enormous and we are working to provide an effective response. We hope our partners will help us," Christian Aboke-Ndza, cabinet director at the ministry of humanitarian affairs told AFP. Dozens of people were killed after the floods hit in late 2019, while diseases linked to the flooding have also emerged in some badly-hit areas of the country, also known as Congo-Brazzaville. The UN has said more than $30.5 million (27.6 million euros) is needed to address the crisis. Some $7 million has been secured, said Cyr Modeste Kouame from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Several hundred tonnes of food aid have been distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) in the area along with cash transfers worth around 300,000 euros ($330,000). But some warned it was not enough. "Unfortunately, we see today that these efforts are not sufficient," WFP's Congo Brazzaville director Jean-Martin Bauer said. "The scale and severity of the crisis and its duration over time have been underestimated."

More than 200,000 hit by Congo floods

Militants killed 18 people in an attack on a village in eastern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dr-congo-ebola-death-toll-2231-to-date-report-270888">Congo</a>, a regional official and a local human rights group said on Monday, the latest in a 60-day counter-offensive that has killed nearly 200 civilians.

The attack occurred in Apetina, in a remote forested area a few miles from the Ugandan border where attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist group, have increased since October&nbsp;30, when the army launched a campaign to root them out.

Democratic Republic of Congo <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/opposition-leader-felix-tshisekedi-declared-winner-in-dr-congo-presidential-election-189319">President Felix Tshisekedi</a> has said the campaign has dismantled nearly all of the ADF's sanctuaries, but attacks continue unabated. Earlier this month, 22 were killed in ambushes on two villages in the same region.

"There was a raid by ADF rebels in...​​Apetina on Sunday night. These rebels killed 18 people and burned down eight houses," said Donat Kibwana, the administrator of Beni territory.

He said that the army was alerted to the attack but arrived after the killings had occurred. CEPADHO, a human rights group, also said that 18 had been killed.

The Congolese government has blamed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/17-people-killed-in-twin-attacks-in-dr-congo-182195">ADF for attacks</a> going back years, including dozens of night-time massacres since 2014 that have killed hundreds of civilians. But repeated military operations have failed to fully eradicate the group.

The recent surge in violence has complicated efforts to stamp out an Ebola outbreak in the area. Infections have started to rise in areas health workers have been unable to access because of insecurity.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-two-iranian-judges-for-overseeing-iranian-regimes-miscarriage-of-justice-269258">US&nbsp;Treasury</a> this month imposed sanctions on six members of the ADF, including its leader Musa Baluku. Islamic State has claimed some ADF attacks this year, but researchers say there is a lack of hard evidence linking the two groups.

Militants killed 18 people in an attack on a village in eastern Congo, a regional official and a local human rights group said on Monday, the latest in a 60-day counter-offensive that has killed nearly 200 civilians.

Militants killed 18 people in an attack on a village in eastern Congo, a regional official and a local human rights group said on Monday, the latest in a 60-day counter-offensive that has killed nearly 200 civilians. The attack occurred in Apetina, in a remote forested area a few miles from the Ugandan border where attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist group, have increased since October 30, when the army launched a campaign to root them out. Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has said the campaign has dismantled nearly all of the ADF's sanctuaries, but attacks continue unabated. Earlier this month, 22 were killed in ambushes on two villages in the same region. "There was a raid by ADF rebels in...Apetina on Sunday night. These rebels killed 18 people and burned down eight houses," said Donat Kibwana, the administrator of Beni territory. He said that the army was alerted to the attack but arrived after the killings had occurred. CEPADHO, a human rights group, also said that 18 had been killed. The Congolese government has blamed the ADF for attacks going back years, including dozens of night-time massacres since 2014 that have killed hundreds of civilians. But repeated military operations have failed to fully eradicate the group. The recent surge in violence has complicated efforts to stamp out an Ebola outbreak in the area. Infections have started to rise in areas health workers have been unable to access because of insecurity. The US Treasury this month imposed sanctions on six members of the ADF, including its leader Musa Baluku. Islamic State has claimed some ADF attacks this year, but researchers say there is a lack of hard evidence linking the two groups.

Militants kill 18 in attack in eastern Congo

A total of 2,231 people have died out of 3,373 declared cases of Ebola in the current epidemic in the DR Congo, according to the agency overseeing the response, health officials said Sunday.

Deadly unrest in the fragile state has hampered the fight against the disease during the latest epidemic, which broke out on August 1, 2018, with the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri particularly badly hit.

Both areas, beset by violence for two decades, have seen repeated attacks on Ebola health workers by dozens of armed groups as well as on health sites set up to treat victims.

More than 200 civilians have been killed in the troubled east since November in clashes blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia group of Ugandan origin which officials blame for a string of massacres in recent weeks.

Health authorities meanwhile said Sunday that 341 suspected Ebola cases were being investigated, a day after the Multisectoral Committee for Epidemic Response (CMRE) monitoring the disease unveiled its latest batch of data Saturday.

The current epidemic is the tenth overall and the second deadliest on record since a 2014-16 outbreak struck west Africa, killing more than 11,300.

A total of 2,231 people have died out of 3,373 declared cases of Ebola in the current epidemic in the DR Congo, according to the agency overseeing the response, health officials said Sunday.

A total of 2,231 people have died out of 3,373 declared cases of Ebola in the current epidemic in the DR Congo, according to the agency overseeing the response, health officials said Sunday. Deadly unrest in the fragile state has hampered the fight against the disease during the latest epidemic, which broke out on August 1, 2018, with the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri particularly badly hit. Both areas, beset by violence for two decades, have seen repeated attacks on Ebola health workers by dozens of armed groups as well as on health sites set up to treat victims. More than 200 civilians have been killed in the troubled east since November in clashes blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia group of Ugandan origin which officials blame for a string of massacres in recent weeks. Health authorities meanwhile said Sunday that 341 suspected Ebola cases were being investigated, a day after the Multisectoral Committee for Epidemic Response (CMRE) monitoring the disease unveiled its latest batch of data Saturday. The current epidemic is the tenth overall and the second deadliest on record since a 2014-16 outbreak struck west Africa, killing more than 11,300.

DR Congo Ebola death toll 2,231 to date: Report

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../samoa-measles-outbreak-death-toll-rises-to-62- 266337">measles epidemic</a> in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

Low immunisation rates and high levels of malnutrition have fuelled the epidemic and high mortality rates, especially in North Kivu province, which is also reeling from an Ebola epidemic, it said.

"Since the start of 2019, more than 250,000 suspected (measles) cases and over 5,000 deaths mostly among children under 5 years, have been recorded," the WHO said in a statement.

A first measles vaccination campaign was launched to protect people against the infectious disease that has struck all of the country's 26 provinces, it said.

A third phase of the campaign is planned, with the ultimate aim of reaching 18.9 million children across the country by year-end, it added.

"While the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has won the world’s attention and progress is being made in saving lives, we must not forget the other urgent health needs the country faces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Vaccination is most challenging in North Kivu, where 2.2 million people are to be vaccinated in this round, because of high insecurity following armed attacks that make some areas inaccessible to aid workers, WHO said.

The world's second biggest Ebola epidemic on record has killed more than 2,200 people since mid-2018, but new infections slowed in recent months, the WHO said last week, while warning that Ebola was likely to resurge.

A measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

A measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday. Low immunisation rates and high levels of malnutrition have fuelled the epidemic and high mortality rates, especially in North Kivu province, which is also reeling from an Ebola epidemic, it said. "Since the start of 2019, more than 250,000 suspected (measles) cases and over 5,000 deaths mostly among children under 5 years, have been recorded," the WHO said in a statement. A first measles vaccination campaign was launched to protect people against the infectious disease that has struck all of the country's 26 provinces, it said. A third phase of the campaign is planned, with the ultimate aim of reaching 18.9 million children across the country by year-end, it added. "While the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has won the world’s attention and progress is being made in saving lives, we must not forget the other urgent health needs the country faces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. Vaccination is most challenging in North Kivu, where 2.2 million people are to be vaccinated in this round, because of high insecurity following armed attacks that make some areas inaccessible to aid workers, WHO said. The world's second biggest Ebola epidemic on record has killed more than 2,200 people since mid-2018, but new infections slowed in recent months, the WHO said last week, while warning that Ebola was likely to resurge.

Measles toll in Congo exceeds 5,000: WHO

At least 29 people were killed Sunday when a small plane crashed after takeoff &nbsp;into a densely populated area of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-jumps-to-23-in-plane-crash-in-dr-congo-city-264233">city of Goma in eastern Democratic</a> Republic of Congo.

A survivor among the 19 people -&nbsp;17 passengers and two crew members -- who were aboard the plane was taken to hospital along with 16 others injured on the ground, the North Kivu regional government said.

"At this stage, 29 bodies have been found in the rubble," the statement said.

The Busy Bee Dornier-228 smashed into two houses near the airport, the deputy transport minister Jacques Yuma Kipuya said earlier.

The first images from the scene showed smoke billowing above the neighbourhood and the aircraft in flames with local people throwing buckets of water on it.

A video seen by AFP showed the cabin of the plane still smouldering embedded in the wall of the house.

The aircraft had been headed for the city of Beni, 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Goma, when it went down after takeoff in the residential area.&nbsp;

Busy Bee airline staff member Heritier Said Mamadou had earlier confirmed that 19 were on board the flight scheduled from Goma around 9:00 am (0700 GMT).

Busy Bee, a recently established company, has three planes serving routes in the North Kivu province.

The pilot "failed in his takeoff," Nord Kivu governor Carly Nzanzu Kasivita said in a statement.

One of the airline's maintenance workers at the site, quoted by news site actualite.cd, blamed a "technical problem".

Among the victims of the Goma crash was a woman who was the coordinator of an association for the defence of women's rights, Mambo Zawadi, her NGO said.

There were also three civil servants in the housing sector "who were returning to their posts in Butembo and Beni after work sessions that I had organised," their supervisor Molendo Sakombi said in a statement.

The UN mission deployed in DR Congo, MONUSCO, sent two fire engines to support local rescue services.

Aircraft accidents are common in the vast, conflict-wracked central African country.&nbsp;

Last month an Antonov-72 cargo plane that was providing logistical assistance for a trip by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and carrying eight crew and passengers went missing after taking off from Goma.

Goma is the capital of troubled North Kivu province near the border with Rwanda.

The plane's destination, Beni, has been the scene of other tragedies in the province plagued with fighting between rival militias. More than 60 civilians have been massacred since October 30.

The failure of the army and police to stop the killings has prompted protests by civilians, the latest one on Friday.&nbsp;

The Nord Kivu governor went to Beni to calm the citizens and on Sunday offered condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash.

Beni has also been at the epicentre of an Ebola epidemic which so far has killed around 2,200 people in DR Congo in the last year.

At least 29 people were killed Sunday when a small plane crashed after takeoff into a densely populated area of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

At least 29 people were killed Sunday when a small plane crashed after takeoff into a densely populated area of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A survivor among the 19 people - 17 passengers and two crew members -- who were aboard the plane was taken to hospital along with 16 others injured on the ground, the North Kivu regional government said. "At this stage, 29 bodies have been found in the rubble," the statement said. The Busy Bee Dornier-228 smashed into two houses near the airport, the deputy transport minister Jacques Yuma Kipuya said earlier. The first images from the scene showed smoke billowing above the neighbourhood and the aircraft in flames with local people throwing buckets of water on it. A video seen by AFP showed the cabin of the plane still smouldering embedded in the wall of the house. The aircraft had been headed for the city of Beni, 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Goma, when it went down after takeoff in the residential area. Busy Bee airline staff member Heritier Said Mamadou had earlier confirmed that 19 were on board the flight scheduled from Goma around 9:00 am (0700 GMT). Busy Bee, a recently established company, has three planes serving routes in the North Kivu province. The pilot "failed in his takeoff," Nord Kivu governor Carly Nzanzu Kasivita said in a statement. One of the airline's maintenance workers at the site, quoted by news site actualite.cd, blamed a "technical problem". Among the victims of the Goma crash was a woman who was the coordinator of an association for the defence of women's rights, Mambo Zawadi, her NGO said. There were also three civil servants in the housing sector "who were returning to their posts in Butembo and Beni after work sessions that I had organised," their supervisor Molendo Sakombi said in a statement. The UN mission deployed in DR Congo, MONUSCO, sent two fire engines to support local rescue services. Aircraft accidents are common in the vast, conflict-wracked central African country. Last month an Antonov-72 cargo plane that was providing logistical assistance for a trip by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and carrying eight crew and passengers went missing after taking off from Goma. Goma is the capital of troubled North Kivu province near the border with Rwanda. The plane's destination, Beni, has been the scene of other tragedies in the province plagued with fighting between rival militias. More than 60 civilians have been massacred since October 30. The failure of the army and police to stop the killings has prompted protests by civilians, the latest one on Friday. The Nord Kivu governor went to Beni to calm the citizens and on Sunday offered condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash. Beni has also been at the epicentre of an Ebola epidemic which so far has killed around 2,200 people in DR Congo in the last year.

Death toll in Congo plane crash rises to 29

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will introduce a second vaccine next month to combat the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

The announcement came as the aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) accused the WHO of rationing the first Ebola vaccine in the DRC.

"The health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced plans to introduce a second experimental Ebola vaccine, manufactured by Johnson &amp; Johnson, from mid-October," the global health body said in a statement.

"This vaccine, which is given as a 2-dose course, 56 days apart, will be provided under approved protocols to targeted at-risk populations in areas that do not have active Ebola transmission as an additional tool to extend protection against the virus", they added.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Regional Director for Africa, said the second vaccine "will help ensure that we have potentially an additional tool to prevent the expansion of the outbreak and also a potential tool to protect populations before outbreaks hit areas at risk."

The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the second-worst one in history after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia between 2014 and 2016.

The WHO said last week that as of September 17, DRC had registered a total of 3,145 cases of Ebola since the outbreak began over a year ago, including 2,103 deaths.

It has declared the Ebola epidemic a "public health emergency of international concern".

Around 225,000 people have received the Ebola vaccine manufactured by the German pharma giant Merck since August 8, 2018.

'Insufficient' 
 
But the MSF said earlier Monday that "this number remains largely insufficient".

"One of the main problems currently is the fact that in practice the vaccine is rationed by the WHO and that too few people at risk are protected today," MSF said in a statement.

The WHO denied limiting the availability of the drug, saying it was doing "everything possible" to end the epidemic.

The UN's health agency has been pushing for the introduction of the second vaccine, but the DRC health ministry under former minister Oly Ilunga had resisted such a move, citing the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high.

Ilunga stepped down on July 22 after being replaced as the head of the country's Ebola response effort.

He has since been charged with embezzling funds allotted for the Ebola fight, according to his lawyers who reject the allegations saying accounts prove that public funds were used "exclusively" for the anti-Ebola effort.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the latest decision by DRC authorities, who he said, "Have once again shown leadership and their determination to end this outbreak as soon as possible".

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will introduce a second vaccine next month to combat the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will introduce a second vaccine next month to combat the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Monday. The announcement came as the aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) accused the WHO of rationing the first Ebola vaccine in the DRC. "The health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced plans to introduce a second experimental Ebola vaccine, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, from mid-October," the global health body said in a statement. "This vaccine, which is given as a 2-dose course, 56 days apart, will be provided under approved protocols to targeted at-risk populations in areas that do not have active Ebola transmission as an additional tool to extend protection against the virus", they added. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Regional Director for Africa, said the second vaccine "will help ensure that we have potentially an additional tool to prevent the expansion of the outbreak and also a potential tool to protect populations before outbreaks hit areas at risk." The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the second-worst one in history after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia between 2014 and 2016. The WHO said last week that as of September 17, DRC had registered a total of 3,145 cases of Ebola since the outbreak began over a year ago, including 2,103 deaths. It has declared the Ebola epidemic a "public health emergency of international concern". Around 225,000 people have received the Ebola vaccine manufactured by the German pharma giant Merck since August 8, 2018. 'Insufficient' But the MSF said earlier Monday that "this number remains largely insufficient". "One of the main problems currently is the fact that in practice the vaccine is rationed by the WHO and that too few people at risk are protected today," MSF said in a statement. The WHO denied limiting the availability of the drug, saying it was doing "everything possible" to end the epidemic. The UN's health agency has been pushing for the introduction of the second vaccine, but the DRC health ministry under former minister Oly Ilunga had resisted such a move, citing the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high. Ilunga stepped down on July 22 after being replaced as the head of the country's Ebola response effort. He has since been charged with embezzling funds allotted for the Ebola fight, according to his lawyers who reject the allegations saying accounts prove that public funds were used "exclusively" for the anti-Ebola effort. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the latest decision by DRC authorities, who he said, "Have once again shown leadership and their determination to end this outbreak as soon as possible".

Democratic Republic of Congo to receive second Ebola vaccine in mid-october: World Health Organisation

As health agencies battle to stop the spread of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-how-a-congo-ebola-outbreak-became-a-global-concern-236967">Ebola virus in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)</a>, some survivors of the disease are playing a crucial role in aiding the victims of the worst outbreak in the country's history.

More than 2,100 people have died from Ebola in DRC since the hemorrhagic fever resurfaced in August 2018.

Containment efforts have been hindered by the conflict in the country's east, as well as attacks on health workers tackling Ebola in a population where mistrust of outsiders and superstition is rife.

That's where survivors come in.

A 35-year-old doctor who identified himself as Maurice, contracted the virus while caring for a patient in July 2018 before the outbreak was officially confirmed.

He then passed the disease on to his wife, Esperance.

Both survived and Maurice is now the head of the Ebola survivors association for the response to the outbreak.

Survivors of Ebola become immune to the disease, allowing them to interact with sufferers without protective clothing.

Ebola is contagious and causes patients to often die from dehydration and multiple organ failure.

Viannay Kambale, 31, survived the virus and now works with patients at an Ebola treatment centre, as he has immunity.

Another survivor, Claude Mabowa, lost his mother, a brother, and a sister to Ebola, according to an NGO called Alima.

"There are people who approach me, and others are moving away", the 21-year-old said, about peoples' reaction to him in public.

"It bothered me a lot", he told a local Kinshasa radio station.

United Nations (UN) Chief Antonio Guterres visited Beni in the country's Ebola-plagued eastern Congo earlier this month and urged people who might be infected to visit their nearest health centre for a checkup.

"It is worth coming. There are people who might think: 'Well, I'm going to die, why should I go? No, it's not true. Those who come here can be cured. We must transmit this message to everybody. Don't hide your symptoms. Come", he said after meeting Ebola survivors.

The ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ebola-death-toll-in-east-congo-outbreak-climbs-above-2000-246590">Ebola outbreak</a> is the second-worst one in history after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia between 2014 and 2016.

As health agencies battle to stop the spread of the Ebola virus in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), some survivors of the disease are playing a crucial role in aiding the victims of the worst outbreak in the country's history.

As health agencies battle to stop the spread of the Ebola virus in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), some survivors of the disease are playing a crucial role in aiding the victims of the worst outbreak in the country's history. More than 2,100 people have died from Ebola in DRC since the hemorrhagic fever resurfaced in August 2018. Containment efforts have been hindered by the conflict in the country's east, as well as attacks on health workers tackling Ebola in a population where mistrust of outsiders and superstition is rife. That's where survivors come in. A 35-year-old doctor who identified himself as Maurice, contracted the virus while caring for a patient in July 2018 before the outbreak was officially confirmed. He then passed the disease on to his wife, Esperance. Both survived and Maurice is now the head of the Ebola survivors association for the response to the outbreak. Survivors of Ebola become immune to the disease, allowing them to interact with sufferers without protective clothing. Ebola is contagious and causes patients to often die from dehydration and multiple organ failure. Viannay Kambale, 31, survived the virus and now works with patients at an Ebola treatment centre, as he has immunity. Another survivor, Claude Mabowa, lost his mother, a brother, and a sister to Ebola, according to an NGO called Alima. "There are people who approach me, and others are moving away", the 21-year-old said, about peoples' reaction to him in public. "It bothered me a lot", he told a local Kinshasa radio station. United Nations (UN) Chief Antonio Guterres visited Beni in the country's Ebola-plagued eastern Congo earlier this month and urged people who might be infected to visit their nearest health centre for a checkup. "It is worth coming. There are people who might think: 'Well, I'm going to die, why should I go? No, it's not true. Those who come here can be cured. We must transmit this message to everybody. Don't hide your symptoms. Come", he said after meeting Ebola survivors. The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the second-worst one in history after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia between 2014 and 2016.

Ebola survivors in Congo play a crucial role in helping other victims

Indian Army officer Gaurav Solanki, who had gone missing since Saturday in Congo, was on Thursday found dead inside the Lake Kivu.

Lieutenant Colonel Solanki was posted with the Indian contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Army officials on Thursday said that an intensive search was carried out to retrieve the officer.

The mortal remains of the officer were retrieved on September 12 at around 11 am from inside the Lake Kivu, approximately one kilometre away from an Island.

Army sources had earlier informed that Lieutenant Colonel Solanki has been missing since Saturday afternoon after he went for kayaking in Lake Kivu.

Lieutenant Colonel Solanki had gone to the Lake Kivu on September 8 for kayaking but later on, everybody returned except him.

India is one of the largest contributors, in terms of troops to UN Peacekeeping forces. Indian troops posted with these missions have served with distinction.

The Indian Army's participation in the UN peacekeeping operations spans a period of 57 years covering 43 UN Missions, in which over ninety-thousand

Indian soldiers have served in various parts of the world.

Indian troops have taken part in some of the most difficult operations, and have suffered casualties in the service of the UN.

Presently, India is ranked, as the third-largest troop contributor to the UN.

Indian Army officer Gaurav Solanki, who had gone missing since Saturday in Congo, was on Thursday found dead inside the Lake Kivu. Lieutenant Colonel Solanki was posted with the Indian contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Indian Army officer Gaurav Solanki, who had gone missing since Saturday in Congo, was on Thursday found dead inside the Lake Kivu. Lieutenant Colonel Solanki was posted with the Indian contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Army officials on Thursday said that an intensive search was carried out to retrieve the officer. The mortal remains of the officer were retrieved on September 12 at around 11 am from inside the Lake Kivu, approximately one kilometre away from an Island. Army sources had earlier informed that Lieutenant Colonel Solanki has been missing since Saturday afternoon after he went for kayaking in Lake Kivu. Lieutenant Colonel Solanki had gone to the Lake Kivu on September 8 for kayaking but later on, everybody returned except him. India is one of the largest contributors, in terms of troops to UN Peacekeeping forces. Indian troops posted with these missions have served with distinction. The Indian Army's participation in the UN peacekeeping operations spans a period of 57 years covering 43 UN Missions, in which over ninety-thousand Indian soldiers have served in various parts of the world. Indian troops have taken part in some of the most difficult operations, and have suffered casualties in the service of the UN. Presently, India is ranked, as the third-largest troop contributor to the UN.

Missing Indian Army officer posted with UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo found dead

The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo's year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday (August 30), as responders battle to overcome community mistrust and widespread security problems.

Ebola death toll tops 2,000 in eastern Congo outbreak

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Rwanda's border with Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of Congo was fully open late on Thursday, a minister said, hours after Congolese traders had reported it shut following a third case of the disease in the Congolese border city of Goma.

Rwandan health minister Diane Gashumba said there had been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rwanda-shuts-border-with-ebola-hit-drc-congolese-presidency-239930">traffic slowdowns at the border</a>, caused by increased health screening in response to confirmation of new infections in Goma, a transit hub of at least 1 million people.

"The border was never closed and it is not closed," Gashumba told reporters.

The outbreak has killed more than 1,800 people in Congo since it was declared one year ago and become the second-worst on record. Two people have died of the disease in Uganda, which also borders Congo, but there have been no registered cases in Rwanda.

Earlier, Congolese health authorities confirmed that a third case had been diagnosed in Goma, increasing fears the virus could take root in the densely populated city, which lies more than 350 km south of where the outbreak was first detected.

A second patient died in Goma on Wednesday after he sought treatment too late and was already bleeding, authorities said. These second and third cases in Goma, a father and daughter, are not linked to the first case, authorities say.

Nestled in hilly country at the foot of an active volcano, the city lies just 7 km from Rwanda's main border town of Gisenyi.

Some 45,000 people go through the main border post between the two per day, according to an immigration official.

Lucien Kalusha, a Congolese hairdresser who crosses every day to work in Rwanda, told Reuters earlier on Thursday he and others had not been able to cross.

"By closing the border like this, they deprive a lot of people of their earnings today. Most of the women here cross into Rwanda to find food for us in Goma," he said.

Another, smaller border post near Goma was unusually quiet, as traders and vehicles had left after it appeared to have been closed.

After the first Ebola case in Goma was confirmed in mid-July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak an international health emergency. It was earlier reluctant to do so, partly out of fear countries bordering Congo might shut their frontiers.

Rwanda's border with Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of Congo was fully open late on Thursday, a minister said, hours after Congolese traders had reported it shut following a third case of the disease in the Congolese border city of Goma.

Rwanda's border with Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of Congo was fully open late on Thursday, a minister said, hours after Congolese traders had reported it shut following a third case of the disease in the Congolese border city of Goma. Rwandan health minister Diane Gashumba said there had been traffic slowdowns at the border, caused by increased health screening in response to confirmation of new infections in Goma, a transit hub of at least 1 million people. "The border was never closed and it is not closed," Gashumba told reporters. The outbreak has killed more than 1,800 people in Congo since it was declared one year ago and become the second-worst on record. Two people have died of the disease in Uganda, which also borders Congo, but there have been no registered cases in Rwanda. Earlier, Congolese health authorities confirmed that a third case had been diagnosed in Goma, increasing fears the virus could take root in the densely populated city, which lies more than 350 km south of where the outbreak was first detected. A second patient died in Goma on Wednesday after he sought treatment too late and was already bleeding, authorities said. These second and third cases in Goma, a father and daughter, are not linked to the first case, authorities say. Nestled in hilly country at the foot of an active volcano, the city lies just 7 km from Rwanda's main border town of Gisenyi. Some 45,000 people go through the main border post between the two per day, according to an immigration official. Lucien Kalusha, a Congolese hairdresser who crosses every day to work in Rwanda, told Reuters earlier on Thursday he and others had not been able to cross. "By closing the border like this, they deprive a lot of people of their earnings today. Most of the women here cross into Rwanda to find food for us in Goma," he said. Another, smaller border post near Goma was unusually quiet, as traders and vehicles had left after it appeared to have been closed. After the first Ebola case in Goma was confirmed in mid-July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak an international health emergency. It was earlier reluctant to do so, partly out of fear countries bordering Congo might shut their frontiers.

Rwanda reopens border with Ebola-hit Congo after traffic slowdowns

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 2nd, 2019

Congo has detected a second Ebola case detected in less than a month. The second Ebola case has been detected in the border city of Goma. Watch this video to know more.

Congo: Second Ebola case detected in a month

Singapore said on Tuesday it had seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups say is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade.

The elephant ivory, estimated to be worth $12.9 million, came from nearly 300 African elephants and was heading to Vietnam through Singapore from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The haul also contained the third major seizure of pangolin scales in Singapore this year.

The pangolin, a scaly anteater, is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Its meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam and China, and the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine, though the benefits are disputed by medical scientists.

"The seized pangolin scales and elephant ivory will be destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market," the Singapore Customs, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the National Parks Board said, adding that the July 21 seizure came after a tip-off from China's customs department.

The ivory haul falls just short of 9.1 tonnes seizure in Vietnam in March, which non-government organisation Environmental Investigation Agency said was thought to be the largest ever globally.

There has been a flurry of seizures, including rhino horns, in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in recent months.

"Singapore has always been inadvertently implicated in the global ivory trade for two reasons: its global connectivity, as well as the presence of a small domestic market where pre-1990s ivory can be legally sold," said Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore.&nbsp;

"The consistency of these large-scale seizures is strong evidence of organised crime behind illegal wildlife trade coming through or into Singapore."

Singapore authorities said the latest seizure also contained 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth about $35.7 million and equivalent to close to 2,000 pangolins.

Singapore has seized a total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales since April, including one raid which was the biggest of its kind worldwide in five years.

The city-state is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and says it is committed to the global effort to curb the illegal wildlife trade.

Singapore said on Tuesday it had seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups say is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade.

Singapore said on Tuesday it had seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups say is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. The elephant ivory, estimated to be worth $12.9 million, came from nearly 300 African elephants and was heading to Vietnam through Singapore from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The haul also contained the third major seizure of pangolin scales in Singapore this year. The pangolin, a scaly anteater, is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Its meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam and China, and the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine, though the benefits are disputed by medical scientists. "The seized pangolin scales and elephant ivory will be destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market," the Singapore Customs, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the National Parks Board said, adding that the July 21 seizure came after a tip-off from China's customs department. The ivory haul falls just short of 9.1 tonnes seizure in Vietnam in March, which non-government organisation Environmental Investigation Agency said was thought to be the largest ever globally. There has been a flurry of seizures, including rhino horns, in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in recent months. "Singapore has always been inadvertently implicated in the global ivory trade for two reasons: its global connectivity, as well as the presence of a small domestic market where pre-1990s ivory can be legally sold," said Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore. "The consistency of these large-scale seizures is strong evidence of organised crime behind illegal wildlife trade coming through or into Singapore." Singapore authorities said the latest seizure also contained 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth about $35.7 million and equivalent to close to 2,000 pangolins. Singapore has seized a total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales since April, including one raid which was the biggest of its kind worldwide in five years. The city-state is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and says it is committed to the global effort to curb the illegal wildlife trade.

Singapore seizes ivory from nearly 300 elephants in record haul

The deadly Ebola outbreak in Congo has now been declared an international emergency, with more than 1,600 people having died in what has become the second-worst outbreak in history.

Doctor who survived Ebola in DR Congo to help

The World Health Organization has declared <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-is-international-health-emergency-but-not-global-threat-236767">Congo's Ebola outbreak an international health emergency</a>, after the virus threatened to spread to a major city and into neighbouring countries.

The response has been hampered by frequent militia violence and low public trust. Below is a timeline of the latest Ebola epidemic.

August 1 2018:

Congo health ministry declares four cases in the eastern town of Mangina, 100 km from the Ugandan border in a province beset by militia violence. It marks the start of Congo's 10th Ebola outbreak since 1976.

The announcement comes eight days after another Ebola outbreak in western Congo was successfully contained with the use of an experimental new vaccine from Merck.

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he is confident in Congo's ability to contain the virus. WHO sends staff and supplies.

August 2 2018:

The WHO says the virus is likely spread over tens of kilometres and poses a high regional risk given its proximity to borders.

Health officials in Mangina rush to educate the public about the risks of Ebola and how to stop its spread.

Ebola identified as the deadliest Zaire strain, for which however an experimental vaccine exists.

August 4 2018:

Congo health ministry says outbreak has likely killed 33 people. Suspected cases are detected in North Kivu province, where Mangina is located, and neighbouring Ituri province.

August 8 2018:

Congo and WHO begin vaccinating health workers. 43 people are believed to have been infected including 36 who have died. 900 contacts are identified for monitoring.

August 17 2018:

Militia violence prevents aid workers from reaching some potential cases. Over 2,000 people have been potentially exposed to the virus.

September 5, 2018:

First Ebola death recorded in trading hub of Butembo, a city of almost a million with links to Uganda. Death toll hits 85.

September 25:

The WHO says it is "extremely concerned" about the outbreak as the death toll reaches 100, two days after militias kill 12 civilians in the town of Beni, near the outbreak's epicentre.

October 17, 2018:

WHO emergency committee falls short of declaring a public health emergency of international concern, but warns it will worsen unless the response is stepped up. Death toll hits 139.

November&nbsp;2 2018:

Uganda starts vaccinating health workers.

November 29, 2018:

Outbreak becomes the second biggest ever, with 426 cases and 245 deaths, the health ministry says. The West Africa outbreak in 2013-16 killed over 11,000 people.

February 24-27, 2019:

Two MSF Ebola treatment centres are attacked by armed assailants and set on fire.

March 25, 2019:

Ebola cases hit 1,000, five days after the virus is detected in Bunia, a city with close to 1 million people.

April 12, 2019:

WHO says the outbreak still does not constitute an international emergency.

May 3, 2019:

The death toll rises above 1,000. Attacks on treatment centres by armed groups continue.

May 28, 2019:

A mob in Vusahiro village kill an Ebola health worker and loot a clinic. WHO says between Jan and early May, there were 42 attacks on health facilities, with 85 workers either injured or killed.

June 4, 2019:

Ebola cases top 2,000 as the rate of new cases triples.

June 11-12, 2019:

Uganda confirms its first case, a 5-year-old Congolese child who dies the next day. A day later, two new cases are reported.

July 14, 2019:

First case detected in Goma, with a population of more than one million. The patient, a priest, is pronounced dead by authorities two days later.

July 17, 2019:

WHO declares outbreak an international health emergency.

The World Health Organization has declared Congo's Ebola outbreak an international health emergency, after the virus threatened to spread to a major city and into neighbouring countries.

The World Health Organization has declared Congo's Ebola outbreak an international health emergency, after the virus threatened to spread to a major city and into neighbouring countries. The response has been hampered by frequent militia violence and low public trust. Below is a timeline of the latest Ebola epidemic. August 1 2018: Congo health ministry declares four cases in the eastern town of Mangina, 100 km from the Ugandan border in a province beset by militia violence. It marks the start of Congo's 10th Ebola outbreak since 1976. The announcement comes eight days after another Ebola outbreak in western Congo was successfully contained with the use of an experimental new vaccine from Merck. WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he is confident in Congo's ability to contain the virus. WHO sends staff and supplies. August 2 2018: The WHO says the virus is likely spread over tens of kilometres and poses a high regional risk given its proximity to borders. Health officials in Mangina rush to educate the public about the risks of Ebola and how to stop its spread. Ebola identified as the deadliest Zaire strain, for which however an experimental vaccine exists. August 4 2018: Congo health ministry says outbreak has likely killed 33 people. Suspected cases are detected in North Kivu province, where Mangina is located, and neighbouring Ituri province. August 8 2018: Congo and WHO begin vaccinating health workers. 43 people are believed to have been infected including 36 who have died. 900 contacts are identified for monitoring. August 17 2018: Militia violence prevents aid workers from reaching some potential cases. Over 2,000 people have been potentially exposed to the virus. September 5, 2018: First Ebola death recorded in trading hub of Butembo, a city of almost a million with links to Uganda. Death toll hits 85. September 25: The WHO says it is "extremely concerned" about the outbreak as the death toll reaches 100, two days after militias kill 12 civilians in the town of Beni, near the outbreak's epicentre. October 17, 2018: WHO emergency committee falls short of declaring a public health emergency of international concern, but warns it will worsen unless the response is stepped up. Death toll hits 139. November 2 2018: Uganda starts vaccinating health workers. November 29, 2018: Outbreak becomes the second biggest ever, with 426 cases and 245 deaths, the health ministry says. The West Africa outbreak in 2013-16 killed over 11,000 people. February 24-27, 2019: Two MSF Ebola treatment centres are attacked by armed assailants and set on fire. March 25, 2019: Ebola cases hit 1,000, five days after the virus is detected in Bunia, a city with close to 1 million people. April 12, 2019: WHO says the outbreak still does not constitute an international emergency. May 3, 2019: The death toll rises above 1,000. Attacks on treatment centres by armed groups continue. May 28, 2019: A mob in Vusahiro village kill an Ebola health worker and loot a clinic. WHO says between Jan and early May, there were 42 attacks on health facilities, with 85 workers either injured or killed. June 4, 2019: Ebola cases top 2,000 as the rate of new cases triples. June 11-12, 2019: Uganda confirms its first case, a 5-year-old Congolese child who dies the next day. A day later, two new cases are reported. July 14, 2019: First case detected in Goma, with a population of more than one million. The patient, a priest, is pronounced dead by authorities two days later. July 17, 2019: WHO declares outbreak an international health emergency.

Timeline: How a Congo Ebola outbreak became a global concern

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a "public health emergency of international concern", saying the recent risk of its spread in the city of Goma and into Uganda had increased the threat.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had accepted the recommendations of a committee of international experts which stressed there should be no restrictions on travel or trade, and no entry screening of passengers at ports or airports outside the immediate region.

The committee said there were worrying signs of possible extension of the epidemic and that the recent case in Goma was a cause for concern.

But it also maintained that although the risk was very high at national and regional level it was not a global threat.

The WHO has warned that the nearby countries of Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and Uganda are the most at risk, while Central African Republic, Angola, Tanzania, Republic of Congo and Zambia are in a second tier.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a "public health emergency of international concern", saying the recent risk of its spread in the city of Goma and into Uganda had increased the threat.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a "public health emergency of international concern", saying the recent risk of its spread in the city of Goma and into Uganda had increased the threat. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had accepted the recommendations of a committee of international experts which stressed there should be no restrictions on travel or trade, and no entry screening of passengers at ports or airports outside the immediate region. The committee said there were worrying signs of possible extension of the epidemic and that the recent case in Goma was a cause for concern. But it also maintained that although the risk was very high at national and regional level it was not a global threat. The WHO has warned that the nearby countries of Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and Uganda are the most at risk, while Central African Republic, Angola, Tanzania, Republic of Congo and Zambia are in a second tier.

WHO declares Ebola outbreak is international health emergency, but not global threat

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Congo's Ebola outbreak an international health emergency. Watch full video to know more.

Ebola outbreak in Congo declared as international health emergency

Violence against ebola health workers in Dr Congo

Wion Playlist: Ebola Virus reaches Goma in Dr Congo

The first case of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ebola-death-toll-has-crossed-1500-in-dr-congo-health-ministry-230063">Ebola in the eastern Congo city of Goma</a> was discovered on Sunday, officials said, raising concerns the virus could spread quicker in a densely populated area close to the Rwandan border.&nbsp;

Goma, a lakeside city of 1 million people, is more than 350 km (220 miles) south of where the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record was first detected a year ago. But the haemorrhagic fever has gradually spread south, infecting nearly 2,500 people and killing more than 1,600.

The patient was a priest who became infected during a visit to the town of Butembo, 200 km (124 miles) north of Goma, where he interacted with Ebola patients, Congo's health ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

He developed symptoms last week before taking a bus to Goma on Friday. When he arrived in Goma on Sunday he went to a clinic where he tested positive for Ebola.&nbsp;

"Due to the speed with which the patient has been identified and isolated, as well as the identification of all bus passengers from Butembo, the risk of spreading to the rest of the city of Goma remains low," the ministry said.&nbsp;

Goma has been preparing for the arrival of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-panel-decides-not-to-declare-international-ebola-emergency-227302">Ebola</a> for a year, setting up hand-washing stations and making sure moto-taxi drivers do not share helmets.&nbsp;

But in more rural areas, the virus has been hard to contain. Local mistrust of health officials and militia violence have hobbled containment efforts and caused the number of new cases to spike.

Ebola causes diarrhoea, vomiting and hemorrhagic fever and can be spread through bodily fluids. An epidemic between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa.&nbsp;

The first case of Ebola in the eastern Congo city of Goma was discovered on Sunday, officials said, raising concerns the virus could spread quicker in a densely populated area close to the Rwandan border.

The first case of Ebola in the eastern Congo city of Goma was discovered on Sunday, officials said, raising concerns the virus could spread quicker in a densely populated area close to the Rwandan border. Goma, a lakeside city of 1 million people, is more than 350 km (220 miles) south of where the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record was first detected a year ago. But the haemorrhagic fever has gradually spread south, infecting nearly 2,500 people and killing more than 1,600. The patient was a priest who became infected during a visit to the town of Butembo, 200 km (124 miles) north of Goma, where he interacted with Ebola patients, Congo's health ministry said in a statement. He developed symptoms last week before taking a bus to Goma on Friday. When he arrived in Goma on Sunday he went to a clinic where he tested positive for Ebola. "Due to the speed with which the patient has been identified and isolated, as well as the identification of all bus passengers from Butembo, the risk of spreading to the rest of the city of Goma remains low," the ministry said. Goma has been preparing for the arrival of Ebola for a year, setting up hand-washing stations and making sure moto-taxi drivers do not share helmets. But in more rural areas, the virus has been hard to contain. Local mistrust of health officials and militia violence have hobbled containment efforts and caused the number of new cases to spike. Ebola causes diarrhoea, vomiting and hemorrhagic fever and can be spread through bodily fluids. An epidemic between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa.

First Ebola case in Congo city of Goma detected

Judges at the International Criminal Court on Monday (July 8) convicted Bosco Ntaganda, a former Congolese military leader, on charges of atrocities including murder, rape and conscripting child soldiers.

Court convicts Congo's Ntaganda of war crimes

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