The death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 500, according to a report released Sunday by the country's health authorities.
According to the report, the country has recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths. A total of 254 patients have recovered, while 628 confirmed patients are currently in isolation or hospitalization.
Authorities also identified 354 suspected cases, including 110 deaths.
The report said the outbreak has so far affected 36 health zones in three provinces. Weekly confirmed cases have continued to rise, with epidemiological weeks 25 and 26 representing the highest levels recorded since the start of the outbreak, each exceeding 300 confirmed cases, indicating continued community transmission.
The World Health Organization said Thursday that a clinical trial had begun enrolling patients in the DRC to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Clinical trials have begun at the CME Ebola treatment center in the Rwampara health zone in Ituri Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, according to the report.
Ebola deaths in DR Congo top 500 amid continued community transmission
The ongoing ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides an excellent opportunity for Norwegian companies to showcase their products to Chinese consumers, said Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Myrseth attributed the strong bilateral trade relationship between Norway and China to mutual familiarity and sustained diplomatic dialogue.
"I think what makes this relationship a steady and long-lasting one is because we know each other, and we have dialogue also on political levels, but also the Chinese and the regional industries—they know each other. They have been doing this for a long time, and they have been sharing knowledge and confidence, and we are in the Chinese market with a lot of our products, as the Chinese know, and I hope they know our products as good, healthy, and that you can trust in the regional industries, and that is the ingredients you need for building a healthy and long-term relationship, as we have been doing," said Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth.
Turning to the role of the expo itself, Myrseth said entering a new market requires understanding its consumers and industries, and that the CIIE gives Norwegian companies a valuable platform to promote their products and build that understanding.
"If you want to get into a new market, as for some, the Chinese market is new, then you have to know the market. You have to know the people, you have to know the industry, you have to spend time to also understand what the Chinese want. So this is a great opportunity for Norwegian companies, and there are more and more companies coming to actually be able to promote their products. So I think it's been a wonderful experience for me as well to come here as the minister responsible for this in Norway and see how the companies are doing. I think this is an excellent opportunity for Norwegian companies to come here and make sure that their products are being known," said Myrseth.
This year's CIIE runs from Nov. 5 to 10. Launched in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE has become an important gateway for foreign businesses seeking access to China's vast consumer and industrial markets.
CIIE key platform for Norwegian products in China, says minister
