China said today that it will send emergency medical aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to fight an Ebola outbreak, reports Anadolu.

“The Chinese government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian aid to the DRC and in particular to send teams of medical experts for medical services and assistance,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

“We feel regret to the DRC for the latest Ebola outbreak,” Lin said, adding that China is providing assistance to the African Union Commission against Ebola as well as the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 134 confirmed cases have been reported in the current outbreak in Congo and Uganda, according to an update released Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ebola deaths are 18 among confirmed cases in both countries. Congolese health authorities indicate that new suspected cases continue to be reported, with a cumulative total of more than 1,000 recorded since the outbreak was announced on May 15.

The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is centered in three eastern Congolese provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu regions.

“As we speak, Chinese medical teams are on the ground fighting the disease and must support African people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin said, adding that more than 45 medical teams from China have visited African countries in the recent past.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries that have imposed travel restrictions and closed their borders following Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda to review these measures.

Canada and the US have imposed travel restrictions and visa suspensions for residents of DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, citing the outbreak.

Rwanda and Uganda have restricted travel from DR Congo despite sharing borders with the country.

Source: prizrenpost