France Confirms First Ebola Case in Returning Doctor
France has found its first Ebola case in a doctor. The doctor had traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo on a humanitarian mission.
The infection is linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak there. Over 260 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The French health ministry said the risk to the wider public was low. Weeks before this case the European health authorities said no active Ebola cases existed in the European Union.
Klear Note — Ebola is a rare, deadly virus spread through blood and body fluids. The Democratic Republic of Congo has had multiple outbreaks. Healthcare workers face high infection risk when treating patients.
Key Terms 3
- Ebola A serious and often deadly virus that spreads through direct contact with infected people
- humanitarian mission A trip to help people in need in a dangerous or poor area
- European Union A group of 27 European countries that share laws and borders