afrol News, 6 January - Angolan government has suspended border operations on its northeastern border with Democratic Republic of Congo to prevent the spread of deadly Ebola virus. The outbreak of Ebola in DRC has claimed 13 lives and infected more than 40 people since the first case was reported in November last year.

The Health minister, José Van-Dúnem, said the government has put stringent rules and will halt all the migratory movements and illegal prospecting of diamonds into the mineral rich African state.

Angolan head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos last Saturday in the capital Luanda appointed an ad-hoc ebola prevention team, coordinated by the prime minister, António Paulo Kassoma.

The team comprises the ministers of Health, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Territory Administration, Commerce, Social Welfare and the chief of Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and the National Police general commander.

Local news agency, Angop said the Angola government has also decided to disseminate information on prevention and also reinforced the epidemiological surveillance for early detection and response to deadly virus. "The measures include a multi-sectoral action involving the Ministry of Commerce and the Migration and Foreigners Services," Angop said.

The Angolan officials have said to date, no single case has been diagnosed in Angola, but said precautionary measures are essential to control the spread of the virus, further stating that measures of prevention will be extended to the provinces of Moxico, Malanje, Uije and Lunda-Sul due to their proximity to the affected areas of the DRC.

Ebola, a highly infectious virus causes vomiting, diarrhoea, and internal and external bleeding. It is reported that it kills more than 60 percent of those infected while there is no cure for the disease.

The first suspect case in the DRC was recorded on 27 November last year and confirmed on December 16, after laboratory testing held in Kinshasa, Gabon and South Africa.

The outbreak in DR Congo was the first in Africa in several months and the fourth in DR Congo since 1976.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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