Congo confirms 1st Ebola case in major city of Goma

The Congolese Health Ministry confirmed on Sunday that the Ebola virus has spread to the city of Goma, home to more than one million people.

The patient is a pastor who tested positive after being screened at a health center, BBC News reports. He arrived in Goma via bus from Butembo, about 125 miles away, where he met with people who have Ebola. Officials said the bus driver and 18 passengers will receive vaccinations on Monday. "Due to the speed with which the patient has been identified and isolated, as well as the identification of all passengers from Butembo, the risk of spreading to the rest of the city of Goma remains low," the health ministry said in a statement.

Since the Ebola outbreak began in the eastern part of the country last August, more than 1,600 people have died. Goma has prepared for an Ebola outbreak, with 3,000 health workers getting vaccinated against the virus last fall. The Ebola virus begins with muscle pain and fever, and can ultimately lead to kidney and liver failure and internal and external bleeding. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids.

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