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BRAZZAVILLE, June 13 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed Thursday that a new epidemic of ebola fever has struck in the north-west of the Republic of Congo on the border with Gabon, claiming at least five victims.

A WHO official in Brazzaville said the latest wave was detected on May 17 in the district of Mbomo near the Gabonese town of Ivindo.

The WHO statement confirms earlier information by the Congolese health ministry. The Republic of Congo is the western neighbour of the much larger Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

WHO official Lamine Cisse Sarr said according to an investigating team in Mbomo "the epidemic returned on May 17 after the dismemberment of a chimpanzee found dead in a forest by two hunters."

An earlier epidemic between last December and April claimed 42 victims.

Five men and a woman have been hospitalised in the latest outbreak, the WHO representative reported.

The last outbreak of the uncurable disease was brought under control by joint teams from the Congolese health ministry and the WHO.

Ebola is one of the most virulent diseases known to man, often causing massive haemorrhaging in which blood pours from the victim's skin like sweat.

The disease is spread through contact with body fluids including saliva, and its early symptoms are similar to those of flu.

It has no known cure after a developed stage, but patients can survive if the symptoms are treated early enough. - Nampa-AFP

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