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Sunday, September 9, 2012 15:04
Ancestral practices help to spread Ebola outbreak in Congo
An epidemic of Ebola virus has killed 15 people in northeastern Congo, and local communities are helping to spread the disease through an ancestral African practice of washing the bodies before the funeral, according to health officials and public health. Although this is the ninth outbreak of Ebola in Congo, is the first to reach the territory of Haut-U?l?, in the northeast of the country. Ebola has no cure and is fatal 40% to 90% of cases. The disease causes a significant internal bleeding.
Initially restricted to Isiro, a city north of Haut-U?l?, the Ebola epidemic has now reached Viadana, a town located 75 km from the origin of the disease. According to local medical staff, the virus was transmitted to a woman who was Viadana to a funeral of a victim of Isiro. She then returned to Viadana where several people infected and died.
With this fact, a new quarantine station was established in Viadana to isolate people who might be infected, according to Dr. Jacques Gumbaluka, the chief physician of the district. Three people have died in Viadana.
The washing and displaying bodies during funerals, a local tradition, are meant to show love and respect for the dead. But the practice facilitates the spread of the epidemic as dozens of people come into contact with victims of the deadly virus.
According Faida Kanyombe responsible for M?decins Sans Fronti?res in the province reached, cases of Ebola have been identified that are associated with certain practices like washing of bodies and self-medication. "People want to touch and see the body, an African tradition," he said.
About 170 people are being monitored after they came into contact with infected patients and 28 cases have been identified, of which 8 were confirmed. Educational campaigns led by Doctors without Borders, the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of Congo are being conducted in the area to warn people of the risks associated with this practice. Local medical staff say that people are responding well to the campaigns although the epidemic is not yet fully under control.