Pastor who laid hands on the sick, becomes first person to die of ebola in DR Congo’s largest city

The first ebola patient in Goma, the biggest city in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been reported dead, days after he got infected with the deadly ebola virus.

According to the DRC’s health ministry, the Pastor got infected with the virus after visiting Butembo, one of the main area of the virus, before taking a bus to Goma.

The pastor had preached at seven churches during his visit to Butembo, a town 300km to the north of Goma, and according to reports, he laid his hands on worshippers, including people who were ill.

Health officials in the the county have identified 60 people who had come into contact with the pastor after he became sick and 30 of them have already been vaccinated.