Four cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever were confirmed in the 2-million-strong city of Conakry on Thursday, the health minister said. Previously, this infectious disease, for which there is no vaccine or cure, was found only in rural areas.
According to Minister Remy Lamah, the source of the virus was an elderly man who showed symptoms of the disease after visiting the central city of Dinguiraye. It is located far from the places where hemorrhagic fever has been detected so far.
The man’s four brothers who attended his funeral in the central city of Dabola began to show signs of illness and were examined upon their return to Conakry. Tests confirmed that they suffered from Ebola hemorrhagic fever. They were put in solitary confinement, Lamah said. The other members of the older man’s family were also quarantined.
From the beginning of the year to Wednesday, 88 cases of hemorrhagic fever were recorded in the south of the country. 63 people died, which means that the mortality rate among patients is 71,5%.