Seven cases seen in newborn babies and infants younger than 2 years old
MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ebola infections in newborns are being reported in the current outbreak of the deadly disease in Congo, the World Health Organization says.
In an update late last week, the U.N. health agency said there were 36 new confirmed cases of Ebola, including seven in newborn babies and infants younger than 2 years old, six in children ages 2 to 17, and one case in a pregnant woman, the Associated Press reported.
Ebola is typically spread by infected bodily fluids. Babies may become infected through breast milk or close contact with infected parents, experts suspect.
This outbreak is the worst in the country’s recorded history, with 346 confirmed cases, including 175 deaths, according to Congo’s health ministry, the AP reported. The outbreak is “complex and challenging,” according to WHO, and the risk of it spreading to neighboring countries remains “very high.”
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
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