WHO confirms new Ebola outbreak in Congo; Kenya, Nigeria begin screening arrivals

The World Health Organization is now confirming a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

The World Health Organization confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo Tuesday https://t.co/VQ5RcPOpIo #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/H3RNXsZY02

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) May 9, 2018

17 deaths have been reported in Congo so far:

New Ebola outbreak Kills 17 People in Democratic Republic of Congo https://t.co/5hpPVjcMPD pic.twitter.com/zDnitKAJzi

— ONTV NIGERIA (@ONTV_NIGERIA) May 9, 2018

Airports and border crossings in Nigeria and Kenya have started screening passengers for symptoms of the horrific disease:

Nigeria imposes #Ebola screenings at airports after an outbreak in the DRChttps://t.co/YL0LUDtwzV pic.twitter.com/0KaESsLLg8

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 9, 2018

KENYA installs thermal guns at its border posts including Jommo Kenyatta International Airport to conduct screening of all travelers coming in, following an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed 17 people.

— The EastAfrican (@The_EastAfrican) May 9, 2018

More from the WHO:

New #Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The #DRC?? MoH informed WHO that two out of five samples collected from five patients tested positive for #Ebola Virus Disease. More specimens are being collected for testing. https://t.co/L7BKAdRYT2 pic.twitter.com/aNCq4MIxyt

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 8, 2018

"We know that addressing this outbreak will require a comprehensive and coordinated response. WHO will work closely with health authorities and partners to support the national response." — Dr @MoetiTshidi https://t.co/BVumvdNEqM

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 8, 2018

WHO is working closely with the Govt of the #DRC?? to rapidly scale up the #Ebola response operations. The first multidisciplinary team comprised of experts from WHO, @MSF & Provincial Division of Health travelled today to Bikoro to strengthen coordination & investigations.

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 8, 2018

WHO released US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support response activities for the next three months with the goal of stopping the spread of #Ebola to surrounding provinces and countries.#DRC??

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 8, 2018

***