France reports Ebola case in doctor returning from DR Congo

A French doctor who returned home from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola.

This marks France’s first confirmed case linked to the ongoing outbreak in the country, the health ministry announced on Wednesday.

The doctor is in stable condition and is currently being treated in isolation at a specialized facility.

Health authorities have begun tracing people who may have been in close contact with him during his journey home and after his arrival in France.

French officials emphasized that the risk to the general public remains very low, citing the country’s preparedness for handling highly infectious diseases.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the outbreak, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has spread rapidly.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases stood at 1,094, including 277 deaths, according to government data.

The World Health Organization said this is already the highest number of confirmed cases reported during the first month of any Ebola outbreak on record. Experts believe the virus had been circulating undetected for months before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.

(With input from wires)