Latest Ebola Outbreak Traced To Eating Gorilla Meat

And you thought the only reason not to kill and eat gorillas was because they were endangered. As reported by the Kampala New Vision (Uganda’s leading daily newspaper), Congolese health officials said Thursday at least 16 people died in the northern part of the country from the Ebola virus since the first of the year and they fear a wider outbreak of the deadly illness. Previous outbreaks of Ebola in December 2000 and again in December 2001 have swiftly infected and killed hundreds and so are considered a very serious threat. Health ministry officials, speaking in the capital Brazzaville, said there could be additional outbreaks around the villages Kele and Mbou, about 800 kilometres north of the capital. The cases were discovered when tests confirmed that gorillas in the region had died after contracting the Ebola virus. Investigators determined that villagers got sick after eating meat from the infected gorillas. Health officials have been sent to the area and representatives from the World Health Organization are also expected to arrive soon to investigate. The Ebola virus is transmitted through blood, saliva and sweat and typically causes high fever, stomach ache, ulcers and internal bleeding. There is no cure for Ebola and about 80% of those infected end up dying.