France confirms first Ebola case in doctor who had worked in DRC

France has confirmed its first case of Ebola in a doctor who returned from a humanitarian mission to an area affected by the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The patient was transferred to a specialist facility and was reported to be in a stable condition.

"All precautionary measures, including the patient’s isolation, were taken upon his arrival in the country, with transfer to the hospital under secure conditions to prevent any risk of contamination." Authorities are tracing the patient’s contacts, who must isolate at home for 21 days, and say the risk to the general European public is very low.

The outbreak is centred on Ituri province in north-eastern DRC, where officials are working to contain the spread. As of 21 June there had been 1,048 confirmed cases and 267 deaths in the DRC, with 112 recoveries; neighbouring Uganda had recorded 20 cases and two deaths.

France

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