A new case of Ebola virus detected in DR Congo

A new case of the Ebola virus has been detected in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s health ministry says.

A woman from the town of Biena near the city of Butembo has died from the disease.

The authorities say they are sending a response team to the area.

This would be DR Congo’s 12th Ebola outbreak.

The previous one occurred nearly three months ago in the west.

What is Ebola?

• Ebola is a virus that initially causes sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, and a sore throat

• It progresses to vomiting, diarrhea, and both internal and external bleeding

• People are infected when they have direct contact through broken skin, or the mouth and nose, with the blood, vomit, faeces, or bodily fluids of someone with Ebola

• Patients tend to die from dehydration and multiple organ failure