Overview
- A humanitarian doctor who flew from Kinshasa was isolated on arrival at a Paris airport, moved to hospital isolation after symptoms worsened slightly, and received care under strict sanitary protocols.
- Health authorities reported two negative PCR tests for the patient, formally declared him cured, and cleared him to leave hospital for home.
- Five people identified as contacts on the flight have been placed in 21-day home isolation and will be monitored for symptoms.
- The case was the first linked to the current epidemic diagnosed on French soil and comes as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to expand with hundreds of deaths and cases far from the original epicenter.
- The epidemic involves the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain for which there is no specific vaccine or proven treatment, prompting a WHO international alert and the launch of a clinical trial to seek therapies.