Abu Faour Denies Reports of Ebola Case in Lebanon

Health Minister Wael Abu Faour stressed on Monday that there are no fatal Ebola cases recorded in Lebanon, and that the person brought in from the Democratic Republic of Congo has died of asthma, media reports said.

“There are no fatal cases of the Ebola virus in Lebanon. The person that was brought to Lebanon from Congo has died of asthma,” clarified Abu Faour.

Media reports circulated on Sunday that the body of a Lebanese man allegedly inflicted with the Ebola was brought to Lebanon from Congo after medial efforts in the African country failed to cure him.

The health minister told al-Jadeed TV that the “ministry contacted the company where Charbel Mwannes had worked and they confirmed that he died of asthma.”

The family of the deceased negated media reports and assured that their son died of an asthma attack.

The man was buried in the Baabda district.

The Ebola outbreak ravaging west Africa has killed more than 2,400 people since it erupted earlier this year, according to the World Health Organization.

Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia are the hardest-hit countries.

The World Food Program said Sunday it has stepped up its assistance to the three countries grappling with the worst-ever outbreak of Ebola.

D.A.

G.K.