EBOLA, ZIMBABWEAN SOLDIERS - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: SUSPECTED
************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Fri 2 Jan 2009
Source: The ZimDaily News [edited]
<http://www.zimdaily.com/news/ebola27.6740.html>
Ebola kills two Zim soldiers in Congo DR
----------------------------------------
2 Zimbabwean soldiers have been killed by the deadly Ebola virus that
has killed 11 people in western Congo, reports said.
A total of 35 people have been infected in Kaluemba, Western Kasai
[Kasai Occidental] province, where the epidemic began in late November
[2008], the Democratic Republic of the congo [Congo DR] Health
Minister August Mopipi confirmed yesterday [1 Jan 2009].
Zimbabwean soldiers who have been deployed to the Congo DR to
reinforce Joseph Kabila's shaky defence lines against rebel leader,
General Laurent Nkunda, have succumbed to the disease. Efforts to
obtain comment from the army were futile. Our source said: "This
information has been classified." The Congo DR reports say suspected
cases of the highly contagious disease identified in the Congo DR had
infected 2 Zimbabwean soldiers who both died within 24 hours.
Last year, Ebola killed at least 187 people in the same region of
Congo DR. Area villagers have recently reported diarrhea and vomiting
of blood, said Olivier Chenebon of the Belgian charity Medecins Sans
Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). The charity is monitoring 102
people who have been in contact with those infected "because it is
possible they could contract the disease and infect others," Chenebon
said.
There are serious fears over Zimbabwean soldiers stationed in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo who were deployed to repel a massive
ground attack by General Nkunda's army.
By Nozipho Maseko)
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[According to the World Health Organisation, as of 31 Dec 2008 so far
only three of 12 fatalities in the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever-like
illness in the Mweka District of Kasai Occidental province have been
confirmed by laboratory testing to be cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
The ZimDaily News report above cannot be evaluated until information
becomes available about the nature of the illness leading to the
deaths of the two Zimbabwean soldiers and their proximity to the site
of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak. Further information is
awaited. - Mod.CP]
Ebola-Fieber im Kongo
Moderator: Moderatoren
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Birgitt
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- Beiträge: 35342
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- Kontaktdaten:
Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Kasai Occidental
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (02):
(KASAI OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 7 Jan 2009
Source: VOANews online [edited]
<http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2 ... -voa22.cfm>
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo DR) in Western Kasai
Province, health officials are trying to contain an Ebola outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that out of 42 patients, 5
cases of Ebola have been confirmed; 12 others are probable cases, and
25 more are suspected cases of Ebola [hemorrhagic fever].
Gregory Hertl, WHO spokesperson for epidemic and pandemic diseases,
spoke from Geneva to VOA News reporter Joe De Capua about how hard it
is to diagnose a case of Ebola. "Certainly, on the ground, when
you're there in the middle in the jungle or in a very isolated
location, there are many diseases which are endemic in that part of
the world. It is difficult to make a snap and accurate diagnosis of
something being Ebola. Certainly, also, in the early phases of the
disease, there are actually many diseases which have a similar
presentation, which is basically a spike in fever, plus vomiting and
diarrhea. It's only in the later stages of Ebola do you start to see
the tell-tale hemorrhagic symptoms," he says.
Hertl says that the 1st response when a suspected Ebola outbreak is
reported is to get health professionals "on the ground." But it's not
always easy to do that right away. He says: "Unfortunately, many of
these outbreaks occur in extremely remote locations where very few
people have access. So it takes a while to get people on the ground.
But if we had people on the ground at the start of this, we would
want to isolate suspected cases so that there was no possibility of
transmitting the disease onward. We would want to institute proper
infection control procedures in hospitals so that no hospital workers
[become] infected. We would want to do a laboratory testing to
confirm that this was indeed Ebola."
The WHO spokesperson says that the WHO and others would also work
with the communities to make sure they understand what Ebola is and
"what measures they need to take in order to not contract Ebola
themselves and to stop the disease from spreading further."
There's no treatment for Ebola. Hertl says: "There's no anti-viral
medication. There's no vaccine that one can be given beforehand. So,
all you can do is hope that the body's defenses will fight off the
virus. And we know that, unfortunately, the virus can kill up to 90
percent of the people it infects. It's not only deadly; it's easily
transmissible. They can't even touch someone else, because the virus
is transmissible even by the touch of the skin," he says.
It's been difficult to pinpoint the source of Ebola in the bush or
jungle. Hertl says: "It might come from contaminated bushmeat, but
we've also seen other routes of transmission, certainly, even more
so, more plainly, with Marburg (virus), because Marburg, which is a
very close cousin of Ebola, also can be transmitted by bats. If bats
urinate on fruit, which is then eaten, or you come in contact with
bat feces through one means or another, then the disease can also be
transmitted that way. But certainly, yes, one of the 1st ways that we
saw Ebola being transmitted was through bushmeat," he says [These are
presumed modes of transmission, not yet confirmed unequivocally. - Mod.CP].
It's difficult to educate communities in the bush to avoid the
disease, due to its very nature of transmission. "What you really
only can do is try to help them, often times after the fact, to
understand what can be done in order not to transmit it further, not
to endanger the family, loved ones, [and the] community," he says. In
areas where there have been previous outbreaks, communities often
know what Ebola is and what steps to take to prevent its spread. "But
in any time that Ebola 1st surfaces in an area which has never had it
before, that's a big issue," he says.
[Byline: Joe De Capua]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-Mail Rapporteur: Susan Baekeland
[On 31 Dec 2008, the WHO reported that there has been a total of 3
laboratory-confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever and that WHO
was aware of 36 additional suspected cases, including 12 deaths
associated with this outbreak. A further 184 contacts have been
identified and are being followed up upon. This interview with
Gregory Hertl of WHO adds little substance and possibly some
misinterpretation. The situation remains confused, and the number of
cases in the outbreak is now given as 42, comprising 5 confirmed
cases, 12 probable cases and 25 suspected cases. It is not clear how
these categories are defined.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>,
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>.
- Mod.CP]
(KASAI OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 7 Jan 2009
Source: VOANews online [edited]
<http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2 ... -voa22.cfm>
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo DR) in Western Kasai
Province, health officials are trying to contain an Ebola outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that out of 42 patients, 5
cases of Ebola have been confirmed; 12 others are probable cases, and
25 more are suspected cases of Ebola [hemorrhagic fever].
Gregory Hertl, WHO spokesperson for epidemic and pandemic diseases,
spoke from Geneva to VOA News reporter Joe De Capua about how hard it
is to diagnose a case of Ebola. "Certainly, on the ground, when
you're there in the middle in the jungle or in a very isolated
location, there are many diseases which are endemic in that part of
the world. It is difficult to make a snap and accurate diagnosis of
something being Ebola. Certainly, also, in the early phases of the
disease, there are actually many diseases which have a similar
presentation, which is basically a spike in fever, plus vomiting and
diarrhea. It's only in the later stages of Ebola do you start to see
the tell-tale hemorrhagic symptoms," he says.
Hertl says that the 1st response when a suspected Ebola outbreak is
reported is to get health professionals "on the ground." But it's not
always easy to do that right away. He says: "Unfortunately, many of
these outbreaks occur in extremely remote locations where very few
people have access. So it takes a while to get people on the ground.
But if we had people on the ground at the start of this, we would
want to isolate suspected cases so that there was no possibility of
transmitting the disease onward. We would want to institute proper
infection control procedures in hospitals so that no hospital workers
[become] infected. We would want to do a laboratory testing to
confirm that this was indeed Ebola."
The WHO spokesperson says that the WHO and others would also work
with the communities to make sure they understand what Ebola is and
"what measures they need to take in order to not contract Ebola
themselves and to stop the disease from spreading further."
There's no treatment for Ebola. Hertl says: "There's no anti-viral
medication. There's no vaccine that one can be given beforehand. So,
all you can do is hope that the body's defenses will fight off the
virus. And we know that, unfortunately, the virus can kill up to 90
percent of the people it infects. It's not only deadly; it's easily
transmissible. They can't even touch someone else, because the virus
is transmissible even by the touch of the skin," he says.
It's been difficult to pinpoint the source of Ebola in the bush or
jungle. Hertl says: "It might come from contaminated bushmeat, but
we've also seen other routes of transmission, certainly, even more
so, more plainly, with Marburg (virus), because Marburg, which is a
very close cousin of Ebola, also can be transmitted by bats. If bats
urinate on fruit, which is then eaten, or you come in contact with
bat feces through one means or another, then the disease can also be
transmitted that way. But certainly, yes, one of the 1st ways that we
saw Ebola being transmitted was through bushmeat," he says [These are
presumed modes of transmission, not yet confirmed unequivocally. - Mod.CP].
It's difficult to educate communities in the bush to avoid the
disease, due to its very nature of transmission. "What you really
only can do is try to help them, often times after the fact, to
understand what can be done in order not to transmit it further, not
to endanger the family, loved ones, [and the] community," he says. In
areas where there have been previous outbreaks, communities often
know what Ebola is and what steps to take to prevent its spread. "But
in any time that Ebola 1st surfaces in an area which has never had it
before, that's a big issue," he says.
[Byline: Joe De Capua]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-Mail Rapporteur: Susan Baekeland
[On 31 Dec 2008, the WHO reported that there has been a total of 3
laboratory-confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever and that WHO
was aware of 36 additional suspected cases, including 12 deaths
associated with this outbreak. A further 184 contacts have been
identified and are being followed up upon. This interview with
Gregory Hertl of WHO adds little substance and possibly some
misinterpretation. The situation remains confused, and the number of
cases in the outbreak is now given as 42, comprising 5 confirmed
cases, 12 probable cases and 25 suspected cases. It is not clear how
these categories are defined.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>,
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>.
- Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35342
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Kasai Occidental
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (03):
(KASAI OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
[1]
Date: Sat 10 Jan 2009
Source: China view, Xinhua News Agency [edited]
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009- ... 634288.htm>
A total of 14 people have died of Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever, in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo DR) since November 2008,
Health Minister Mopipi Mukulumanya said on Fri 9 Jan 2009.
Mukulumanya said in the western Kasai province [Kasai Occidental], 43
people have been infected with Ebola, and 199 others were under observation.
Symptoms of Ebola begin with fever and muscle pain, followed by
vomiting, diarrhea and in some cases, both internal and external
bleeding. The Minister called for the strengthening of health care,
and the reporting of cases of Ebola immediately. Ebola is transmitted
through contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily
fluids of infected people. It is one of the deadliest viruses in the
world, killing 50 to 90 percent of its victims.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
******
[2]
Date: Sat 9 Jan 2009
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC) [edited]
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>
Funds in the amount of CHF 146 404 (USD 132 205 or EUR 97 375) have
been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund
(DREF) to support the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (Congo DR) in providing assistance to some 15 000 beneficiaries
(people affected by Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in the Mweka health zones
of the Western Kasai province).
Summary:
An Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak has been declared in the Mweka
health zones following the death of a parturient, her baby and the
person who accompanied them to the hospital. Studies have revealed
that all 3 persons died of the same disease as they presented the
same symptoms: bloody diarrhea. Even the nurse who attended to those
departed persons is presently showing the same signs, though alive.
The situation
-------------
As of 2 Jan 2009, 40 cases have been registered in one month,
including 28 female cases. So far, 13 persons have died of the
disease, and 173 cases are being monitored.
Since the outbreak occurred, the Congo DR volunteers who acquired
experience during the 2007 Ebola operation in neighboring localities
have been deployed in Mweka to sensitize the populations to the
dangers of the disease and to help transfer patients with Ebola signs
to isolation centers, as well as bury corpses in a safe manner. This
DREF will enable the national society to provide assistance to
affected persons in the areas of emergency relief and non-food items
(NFI) distribution, water and sanitation (WATSAN), hygiene promotion
and capacity building. This operation is expected to be implemented
over 3 months, and will, therefore, be completed by 7 Apr 2009; a
final report will be made available 3 months after the end of the
operation (by 7 Jul 2009).
The Western Kasai Provincial Health Inspectorate informed the Congo
DR Public Health Ministry on 27 Nov 2008 that there are suspected
cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the Mweka health zone. In fact,
the Mweka health zone physician-in-chief reporting to the Minister of
Public Health revealed that an Ebola epidemic is hitting Kaluamba, a
neighboring area to Kampungu that was affected by the same disease in
August 2007. The reporter also described a diarrhea epidemic in
children under 5 years in neighboring Buena-Lueka on 8 Dec 2008.
On the 48th week of 2008, a parturient died of postpartum hemorrhage
in a health centre. Her baby and the person who accompanied them to
the hospital also died of bloody diarrhea. Even the nurse who
attended to those departed persons is presently showing the same
signs, though alive. The situation as of 2 Jan 2009 was as follows:
40 cases registered in one month, including 28 female cases. Out of
the 40 cases, 13 are below the age of 15, whereas 25 are above 15,
and the ages of 2 patients are yet to be determined. So far, 13
persons have died of the disease, and 173 cases are being monitored.
A patient has been isolated. Six new alarms have been sounded, on the
basis of 5 cases in the Western Kasai province (4 in Kampungu and one
in Kanaga), and one in the Katanga province (Lubumbashi), and
investigations are underway to confirm the epidemic in these localities.
[A detailed map of the affected region of Kasai Occidental province
of Congo DR can be viewed by downloading the full pdf file of this
report. - Mod.CP]
--
Communicated by :
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[The precise number of cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever is unclear.
The above report suggests that there have been up to 14 fatalities,
up to 43 affected individuals, and at least 199 people under
observation. The descriptions of the symptoms of the patients are not
clearly defined, and it is unclear whether any more cases have been
confirmed by laboratory testing, other than the 3 laboratory
confirmed cases reported by WHO on 31 Dec 2008 (see ProMED-mail
reference below). There is some indication that the outbreak may be
spreading beyond the Mweka district.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>,
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>
or by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report (see [2] above). - Mod.CP]
(KASAI OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
[1]
Date: Sat 10 Jan 2009
Source: China view, Xinhua News Agency [edited]
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009- ... 634288.htm>
A total of 14 people have died of Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever, in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo DR) since November 2008,
Health Minister Mopipi Mukulumanya said on Fri 9 Jan 2009.
Mukulumanya said in the western Kasai province [Kasai Occidental], 43
people have been infected with Ebola, and 199 others were under observation.
Symptoms of Ebola begin with fever and muscle pain, followed by
vomiting, diarrhea and in some cases, both internal and external
bleeding. The Minister called for the strengthening of health care,
and the reporting of cases of Ebola immediately. Ebola is transmitted
through contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily
fluids of infected people. It is one of the deadliest viruses in the
world, killing 50 to 90 percent of its victims.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
******
[2]
Date: Sat 9 Jan 2009
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC) [edited]
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>
Funds in the amount of CHF 146 404 (USD 132 205 or EUR 97 375) have
been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund
(DREF) to support the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (Congo DR) in providing assistance to some 15 000 beneficiaries
(people affected by Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in the Mweka health zones
of the Western Kasai province).
Summary:
An Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak has been declared in the Mweka
health zones following the death of a parturient, her baby and the
person who accompanied them to the hospital. Studies have revealed
that all 3 persons died of the same disease as they presented the
same symptoms: bloody diarrhea. Even the nurse who attended to those
departed persons is presently showing the same signs, though alive.
The situation
-------------
As of 2 Jan 2009, 40 cases have been registered in one month,
including 28 female cases. So far, 13 persons have died of the
disease, and 173 cases are being monitored.
Since the outbreak occurred, the Congo DR volunteers who acquired
experience during the 2007 Ebola operation in neighboring localities
have been deployed in Mweka to sensitize the populations to the
dangers of the disease and to help transfer patients with Ebola signs
to isolation centers, as well as bury corpses in a safe manner. This
DREF will enable the national society to provide assistance to
affected persons in the areas of emergency relief and non-food items
(NFI) distribution, water and sanitation (WATSAN), hygiene promotion
and capacity building. This operation is expected to be implemented
over 3 months, and will, therefore, be completed by 7 Apr 2009; a
final report will be made available 3 months after the end of the
operation (by 7 Jul 2009).
The Western Kasai Provincial Health Inspectorate informed the Congo
DR Public Health Ministry on 27 Nov 2008 that there are suspected
cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the Mweka health zone. In fact,
the Mweka health zone physician-in-chief reporting to the Minister of
Public Health revealed that an Ebola epidemic is hitting Kaluamba, a
neighboring area to Kampungu that was affected by the same disease in
August 2007. The reporter also described a diarrhea epidemic in
children under 5 years in neighboring Buena-Lueka on 8 Dec 2008.
On the 48th week of 2008, a parturient died of postpartum hemorrhage
in a health centre. Her baby and the person who accompanied them to
the hospital also died of bloody diarrhea. Even the nurse who
attended to those departed persons is presently showing the same
signs, though alive. The situation as of 2 Jan 2009 was as follows:
40 cases registered in one month, including 28 female cases. Out of
the 40 cases, 13 are below the age of 15, whereas 25 are above 15,
and the ages of 2 patients are yet to be determined. So far, 13
persons have died of the disease, and 173 cases are being monitored.
A patient has been isolated. Six new alarms have been sounded, on the
basis of 5 cases in the Western Kasai province (4 in Kampungu and one
in Kanaga), and one in the Katanga province (Lubumbashi), and
investigations are underway to confirm the epidemic in these localities.
[A detailed map of the affected region of Kasai Occidental province
of Congo DR can be viewed by downloading the full pdf file of this
report. - Mod.CP]
--
Communicated by :
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[The precise number of cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever is unclear.
The above report suggests that there have been up to 14 fatalities,
up to 43 affected individuals, and at least 199 people under
observation. The descriptions of the symptoms of the patients are not
clearly defined, and it is unclear whether any more cases have been
confirmed by laboratory testing, other than the 3 laboratory
confirmed cases reported by WHO on 31 Dec 2008 (see ProMED-mail
reference below). There is some indication that the outbreak may be
spreading beyond the Mweka district.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>,
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>
or by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report (see [2] above). - Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35342
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Kasai Occidental - Mweka
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (04): (KASAI
OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 14 Jan 2009
Source: The Canadian Press [edited]
<http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... 0XsYabV5bw>
Canada is sending expert assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo
[Congo DR] to help the central African country contain its latest Ebola
outbreak. Allen Grolla, a biologist from the National Microbiology
Laboratory in Winnipeg, is heading for Kinshasa, Dr Frank Plummer, the
lab's scientific director, said on Wednesday [14 Jan 2009].
Grolla, who works in the special pathogens program, has had extensive
outbreak experience as part of a team manning a portable diagnostic
laboratory developed by the Winnipeg group. The small portable lab, which
can operate safely under extremely basic conditions, is frequently pressed
into service in Ebola and Marburg fever outbreaks by WHO.
There are still only 7 confirmed cases, and the outbreak appears to have
peaked, according to WHO. Given that state of play, WHO has not asked
Winnipeg to send the entire portable lab and a full team to operate it. But
Grolla will be taking a component of the portable lab with him, a loan that
will allow the Congolese to do confirmatory testing in their national lab
in Kinshasa. Currently, the country is sending samples for confirmatory
testing to more sophisticated labs in South Africa and Gabon.
"Essentially, they haven't had the appropriate containment to work on
clinical specimens that are suspect for Ebola or some other viral
hemorrhagic fevers," Plummer said from Ottawa. "So this will give them that
capability in Kinshasa so specimens won't have to be sent to South Africa
or Gabon." Being able to do the work in the country will speed up the
process of identifying and isolating people who are actually infected with
Ebola, one of a group of related viral hemorrhagic fevers. In the early
stages, these deadly diseases have symptoms that could be confused with
many other conditions. Isolating true patients before they can infect
others is key to stopping an outbreak.
South Africa's national laboratory and the lab in Gabon are also sending
one expert apiece, WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl said on Wednesday [14 Jan
2009] from Geneva. Helping the Congolese to do their own testing should
help build capacity in that country, which has had a number of Ebola and
Marburg fever outbreaks over the years. "It's certainly in WHO's interest
to have good diagnostic capacity, laboratory capacity in the region. And
it's in the country's interest too. The faster we can get reliable
diagnosis, the faster we can react," Hartl said. "There's certainly a
rational for countries like Congo DR, which have had several Ebola
outbreaks over the years and many rumored Ebola outbreaks, to have [their]
own diagnostic capacity."
--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[This report indicates that the number of laboratory confirmed cases of
Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the current outbreak in the Mweka District of
Congo DR has risen to 7.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>. The location of
Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo> or
by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>. -
Mod.CP]
OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 14 Jan 2009
Source: The Canadian Press [edited]
<http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... 0XsYabV5bw>
Canada is sending expert assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo
[Congo DR] to help the central African country contain its latest Ebola
outbreak. Allen Grolla, a biologist from the National Microbiology
Laboratory in Winnipeg, is heading for Kinshasa, Dr Frank Plummer, the
lab's scientific director, said on Wednesday [14 Jan 2009].
Grolla, who works in the special pathogens program, has had extensive
outbreak experience as part of a team manning a portable diagnostic
laboratory developed by the Winnipeg group. The small portable lab, which
can operate safely under extremely basic conditions, is frequently pressed
into service in Ebola and Marburg fever outbreaks by WHO.
There are still only 7 confirmed cases, and the outbreak appears to have
peaked, according to WHO. Given that state of play, WHO has not asked
Winnipeg to send the entire portable lab and a full team to operate it. But
Grolla will be taking a component of the portable lab with him, a loan that
will allow the Congolese to do confirmatory testing in their national lab
in Kinshasa. Currently, the country is sending samples for confirmatory
testing to more sophisticated labs in South Africa and Gabon.
"Essentially, they haven't had the appropriate containment to work on
clinical specimens that are suspect for Ebola or some other viral
hemorrhagic fevers," Plummer said from Ottawa. "So this will give them that
capability in Kinshasa so specimens won't have to be sent to South Africa
or Gabon." Being able to do the work in the country will speed up the
process of identifying and isolating people who are actually infected with
Ebola, one of a group of related viral hemorrhagic fevers. In the early
stages, these deadly diseases have symptoms that could be confused with
many other conditions. Isolating true patients before they can infect
others is key to stopping an outbreak.
South Africa's national laboratory and the lab in Gabon are also sending
one expert apiece, WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl said on Wednesday [14 Jan
2009] from Geneva. Helping the Congolese to do their own testing should
help build capacity in that country, which has had a number of Ebola and
Marburg fever outbreaks over the years. "It's certainly in WHO's interest
to have good diagnostic capacity, laboratory capacity in the region. And
it's in the country's interest too. The faster we can get reliable
diagnosis, the faster we can react," Hartl said. "There's certainly a
rational for countries like Congo DR, which have had several Ebola
outbreaks over the years and many rumored Ebola outbreaks, to have [their]
own diagnostic capacity."
--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[This report indicates that the number of laboratory confirmed cases of
Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the current outbreak in the Mweka District of
Congo DR has risen to 7.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>. The location of
Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo> or
by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>. -
Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35342
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Kasai Occidental - Mweka
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (05): (KASAI
OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Thu 15 Jan 2009
Source: The Times online, Agence Franc-Presse report [edited]
<http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=918569>
Seven more people have tested positive [by laboratory testing] for the
deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Congo DR],
bringing the toll of suspected and confirmed cases to 46, according to the
medical group Medecins sans Frontieres [Doctors without Borders].
14 people have died, all exhibiting symptoms of the hemorrhagic fever, but
only one of the deaths has been confirmed [by laboratory analysis] as
resulting directly from Ebola virus infection. The deaths were all in
western Kasai [Kasai Occidental province], a remote province where about
187 people died of Ebola fever last year [2008].
Ebola kills up to 90 per cent of the people it infects and is spread
through direct contact with blood and secretions, or via contaminated objects.
On Tue 6 Jan 2009, neighbouring Angola shut down its north eastern border
with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a bid to stop the spread of
the deadly Ebola virus.
--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[As reported in the previous report from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever
remains at 7. The total of confirmed and suspected cases has risen to 46.
There have been 14 deaths of patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of
Ebola hemorrhagic fever, but only one of these fatalities has been
confirmed by laboratory analysis. There is a continuing suspicion that the
outbreak may be more complex and involve more than a single etiological agent.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>. The location of
Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo> or
by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>. -
Mod.CP]
OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Thu 15 Jan 2009
Source: The Times online, Agence Franc-Presse report [edited]
<http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=918569>
Seven more people have tested positive [by laboratory testing] for the
deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Congo DR],
bringing the toll of suspected and confirmed cases to 46, according to the
medical group Medecins sans Frontieres [Doctors without Borders].
14 people have died, all exhibiting symptoms of the hemorrhagic fever, but
only one of the deaths has been confirmed [by laboratory analysis] as
resulting directly from Ebola virus infection. The deaths were all in
western Kasai [Kasai Occidental province], a remote province where about
187 people died of Ebola fever last year [2008].
Ebola kills up to 90 per cent of the people it infects and is spread
through direct contact with blood and secretions, or via contaminated objects.
On Tue 6 Jan 2009, neighbouring Angola shut down its north eastern border
with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a bid to stop the spread of
the deadly Ebola virus.
--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[As reported in the previous report from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever
remains at 7. The total of confirmed and suspected cases has risen to 46.
There have been 14 deaths of patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of
Ebola hemorrhagic fever, but only one of these fatalities has been
confirmed by laboratory analysis. There is a continuing suspicion that the
outbreak may be more complex and involve more than a single etiological agent.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>. The location of
Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo> or
by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>. -
Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35342
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Re: Ebola-Fieber im Kongo
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (06 ):
(KASAI OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Sat 24 Jan 2009
Source: Medecins san Frontieres, Field News [edited]
<http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ne ... ebar-right>
Ebola Outbreak is Under Control; Patients Discharged
----------------------------------------------------
All patients have been discharged from the Doctors Without Borders/
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) isolation center in Kampungu Western
Kasai [Kasai Occidental] province, in central Democratic Republic of
Congo (Congo DR), where they were being monitored for Ebola
hemorrhagic fever. The patients no longer presented symptoms and were
in good overall health.
Since the last confirmed Ebola patient died, on 1 Jan 2009, all
suspected patients' samples were analyzed and tested negative.
Patients who were brought into the isolation center stopped
presenting symptoms after a few days and no casualties occured. The 3
patients who were admitted last week [12-16 Jan 2009] were also
discharged as their tests came back negative.
"We can say that for now the outbreak is under control," said Rosa
Crestani, from the MSF emergency unit based in Brussels. "Until
yesterday, MSF teams were still monitoring around 100 people who had
been in contact with others suspected of or confirmed as having
Ebola, in order to prevent further possible transmission of the
disease. However, it has been 21 days since the last confirmed Ebola
case, which is the longest incubation period known. This means that
the contact people are not infected with the virus.
"On the other hand, one man who had been in the forest died yesterday
and presented some symptoms that make him a suspect case," added
Crestani. "The MSF teams are therefore on stand-by; the isolation
center remains open and they are ready to respond to new cases,
should they occur." Samples from the deceased man have been taken and
will be analyzed over the weekend.
To date, 48 patients have shown symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
A total of 7 patients have tested positive for the Ebola virus after
sample analysis in laboratories. Of the 7 confirmed cases, 2 have
died. The 41 remaining patients were all suspected cases, of whom 12 have died.
MSF arrived in Kasai Occidental on 23 Dec 2008 after an Ebola
outbreak was declared in mid-December [2008]. Today, an MSF team of
15 is working in Kasai Occidental. The team consists of doctors,
nurses, water and sanitation specialists, health promoters,
logisticians, and a psychologist.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The present situation seems to be that of 48 patients showing
symptoms of Ebola haemorrhagic fever, 7 patients tested positive for
Ebola virus infection, 2 of whom have died. Of the remaining 41
suspected Ebola patients (but without laboratory confirmation), 12 have died.
Recently a new arrival has died with Ebola-like symptoms and the
results of laboratory tests are awaited.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>, and
the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>
or by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>.
- Mod.CP]
(KASAI OCCIDENTAL)
***********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Sat 24 Jan 2009
Source: Medecins san Frontieres, Field News [edited]
<http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ne ... ebar-right>
Ebola Outbreak is Under Control; Patients Discharged
----------------------------------------------------
All patients have been discharged from the Doctors Without Borders/
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) isolation center in Kampungu Western
Kasai [Kasai Occidental] province, in central Democratic Republic of
Congo (Congo DR), where they were being monitored for Ebola
hemorrhagic fever. The patients no longer presented symptoms and were
in good overall health.
Since the last confirmed Ebola patient died, on 1 Jan 2009, all
suspected patients' samples were analyzed and tested negative.
Patients who were brought into the isolation center stopped
presenting symptoms after a few days and no casualties occured. The 3
patients who were admitted last week [12-16 Jan 2009] were also
discharged as their tests came back negative.
"We can say that for now the outbreak is under control," said Rosa
Crestani, from the MSF emergency unit based in Brussels. "Until
yesterday, MSF teams were still monitoring around 100 people who had
been in contact with others suspected of or confirmed as having
Ebola, in order to prevent further possible transmission of the
disease. However, it has been 21 days since the last confirmed Ebola
case, which is the longest incubation period known. This means that
the contact people are not infected with the virus.
"On the other hand, one man who had been in the forest died yesterday
and presented some symptoms that make him a suspect case," added
Crestani. "The MSF teams are therefore on stand-by; the isolation
center remains open and they are ready to respond to new cases,
should they occur." Samples from the deceased man have been taken and
will be analyzed over the weekend.
To date, 48 patients have shown symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
A total of 7 patients have tested positive for the Ebola virus after
sample analysis in laboratories. Of the 7 confirmed cases, 2 have
died. The 41 remaining patients were all suspected cases, of whom 12 have died.
MSF arrived in Kasai Occidental on 23 Dec 2008 after an Ebola
outbreak was declared in mid-December [2008]. Today, an MSF team of
15 is working in Kasai Occidental. The team consists of doctors,
nurses, water and sanitation specialists, health promoters,
logisticians, and a psychologist.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The present situation seems to be that of 48 patients showing
symptoms of Ebola haemorrhagic fever, 7 patients tested positive for
Ebola virus infection, 2 of whom have died. Of the remaining 41
suspected Ebola patients (but without laboratory confirmation), 12 have died.
Recently a new arrival has died with Ebola-like symptoms and the
results of laboratory tests are awaited.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>, and
the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>
or by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>.
- Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35342
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Re: Ebola-Fieber im Kongo
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (07):
KASAI OCCIDENTAL
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Mon 2 Feb 2009
Source: IRIN News [edited]
<http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82699>
An Ebola [hemorrhagic fever] outbreak in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo's (Congo DR) Kasai Occidental Province is now under
control, according to a UN official. "The epidemic has stabilized,
but we cannot say it is over. There is still a likelihood of it
spreading; there are more new cases," Matthieu Kamwa, the UN World
Health Organization (WHO) resident representative in the Congo DR,
said, adding that there was a need for increased vigilance.
According to an epidemiologist with the WHO, Adolphe Kongolo, at
least 50 people have been affected, with 15 deaths reported since 29
Nov 2008, when the outbreak began. The last positive case was
confirmed on 18 Jan 2009. According to Kongolo, the National
Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa as well as laboratories
in Gabon and South Africa confirmed 10 cases of Ebola from collected
samples. However, some people had died and were buried before samples
could be obtained, he said. Most of the cases were in the village of
Kalwamba in Kasai Occidental Province.
A case alert has been reported in nearby Tshikapa. A WHO health team
and other partners are yet to collect samples and conduct other
medical examinations in the area.
Meanwhile, awareness raising about Ebola is continuing, said
provincial health inspector Edmond Mulumba, with the population being
encouraged to report those with symptoms such as bleeding, fatigue,
vomiting and diarrhea. "The population should continue adhering to
hygiene measures, wash their hands regularly, use latrines and avoid
eating bats or animals found dead in the bush because this is a
source of contamination," Mulumba said.
--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[Since the Medecins sans Frontieres report of 24 Jan 2009, the number
of laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever has
increased from 7 to 10. The number of fatalities has risen from 12 to
15, only 2 of whom have been laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola
hemorrhagic fever. The suspicion remains that more than a single
etiologic agent may be involved in this outbreak. The village of
Kalwamba in Kasai Occidental is now given as the focus of the epidemic.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>,
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>
or by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>.
- Mod.CP]
KASAI OCCIDENTAL
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Mon 2 Feb 2009
Source: IRIN News [edited]
<http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82699>
An Ebola [hemorrhagic fever] outbreak in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo's (Congo DR) Kasai Occidental Province is now under
control, according to a UN official. "The epidemic has stabilized,
but we cannot say it is over. There is still a likelihood of it
spreading; there are more new cases," Matthieu Kamwa, the UN World
Health Organization (WHO) resident representative in the Congo DR,
said, adding that there was a need for increased vigilance.
According to an epidemiologist with the WHO, Adolphe Kongolo, at
least 50 people have been affected, with 15 deaths reported since 29
Nov 2008, when the outbreak began. The last positive case was
confirmed on 18 Jan 2009. According to Kongolo, the National
Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa as well as laboratories
in Gabon and South Africa confirmed 10 cases of Ebola from collected
samples. However, some people had died and were buried before samples
could be obtained, he said. Most of the cases were in the village of
Kalwamba in Kasai Occidental Province.
A case alert has been reported in nearby Tshikapa. A WHO health team
and other partners are yet to collect samples and conduct other
medical examinations in the area.
Meanwhile, awareness raising about Ebola is continuing, said
provincial health inspector Edmond Mulumba, with the population being
encouraged to report those with symptoms such as bleeding, fatigue,
vomiting and diarrhea. "The population should continue adhering to
hygiene measures, wash their hands regularly, use latrines and avoid
eating bats or animals found dead in the bush because this is a
source of contamination," Mulumba said.
--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[Since the Medecins sans Frontieres report of 24 Jan 2009, the number
of laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever has
increased from 7 to 10. The number of fatalities has risen from 12 to
15, only 2 of whom have been laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola
hemorrhagic fever. The suspicion remains that more than a single
etiologic agent may be involved in this outbreak. The village of
Kalwamba in Kasai Occidental is now given as the focus of the epidemic.
A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/c ... _pol98.jpg>,
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=214139&v=-4.5,22,5>.
The location of Mweka District (the site of the outbreak) can be found at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mweka,_Dem ... _the_Congo>
or by downloading the pdf file of the ICRF report at
<http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db9 ... enDocument>.
- Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35342
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Kasai Occidental - Mweka
End of Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
17.02.2009 - WHO
The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has on 16 February 2009 declared the end of the Ebola epidemic in the Mweka and Luebo health zones in the Province of Kasai Occidental . The last person to be infected by the virus died on 1 January 2009. This is more than double the maximum incubation period (42 days) for Ebola.
As of today, the health authorities have reported a total of 32 cases, including 15 deaths from Ebola. These 32 cases include confirmed, probable and suspect cases. During this outbreak, the Ebola virus was confirmed by laboratory tests at the Institut National de Recherches Biologiques (INRB) in Kinshasa, the Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) in Gabon, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa.
The WHO Country Office, Regional Office and Headquarters supported the MoH in Kinshasa and in the field at the location of the outbreak. The international response to the outbreak also involved UNICEF, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as support from Caritas (Belgium), and the Congolese (DRC) Red Cross, together with partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), including the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), CIRMF, and NICD, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Belgium).
17.02.2009 - WHO
The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has on 16 February 2009 declared the end of the Ebola epidemic in the Mweka and Luebo health zones in the Province of Kasai Occidental . The last person to be infected by the virus died on 1 January 2009. This is more than double the maximum incubation period (42 days) for Ebola.
As of today, the health authorities have reported a total of 32 cases, including 15 deaths from Ebola. These 32 cases include confirmed, probable and suspect cases. During this outbreak, the Ebola virus was confirmed by laboratory tests at the Institut National de Recherches Biologiques (INRB) in Kinshasa, the Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) in Gabon, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa.
The WHO Country Office, Regional Office and Headquarters supported the MoH in Kinshasa and in the field at the location of the outbreak. The international response to the outbreak also involved UNICEF, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as support from Caritas (Belgium), and the Congolese (DRC) Red Cross, together with partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), including the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), CIRMF, and NICD, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Belgium).
-
Birgitt
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- Beiträge: 35342
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- Kontaktdaten:
Verdacht auf Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Kasai Oriental
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: (KASAI
ORIENTAL) SUSPECTED, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
**********************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Thu 25 Mar 2010
Source: Sous le Manguier, Xinhuanet report [in French, trans. & summ.
Mod.CP, edited]
<http://www.souslemanguier.com/nouvelles ... ys=148&rub>
6 suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever have been recorded between 2
and 14 Mar 2010 in the Kitule Health Zone, which lies 135 km south of
Buta in Orientale province in the north-east of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to Bienvenue Apatala, a
physician in the Kitule Health Zone who confirmed this information on
Thursday [25 Mar 2010], 3 of the 6 victims have died, and the other 3
patients are in a nearby hospital. The virus responsible for this
outbreak has not yet been identified.
However, all 6 patients exhibited similar signs: high fever, extreme
fatigue, and vomiting with discharge of blood. Blood samples from the
patients have been sent to Kinshasa for appropriate laboratory analysis.
This outbreak of disease with symptoms reminiscent of Ebola
hemorrhagic fever has created panic in the local population. Ebola
hemorrhagic fever virus infection is usually accompanied by a rapid
rise in temperature, extreme weakness, myalgia, headache and
difficulty in swallowing. Fever is succeeded by vomiting, renal
insufficiency, hepatitis and hemorrhage. The disease is transmitted by
contact with blood and other secretions. There is no specific vaccine
for protection against Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
Outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever were recorded in Orientale
province in 1999 and 2000. It had occurred previously in Equateur
province during 1976 and in 1977, at Bandunduin in 1995 and in
Kasai-Occidental in 2007 and 2008.
--
Communicated by:
HealthMap alerts
via ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[Ebola hemorrhagic fever is suspected not unreasonably on the basis of
its prior occurrence in Orientale province of the Democratic Republic
of Congo in earlier years. However, the clinical features and the high
CFR are not sufficient to confirm this diagnosis.
In general, the term "viral hemorrhagic fever" is used to describe a
severe multisystem syndrome (multisystem means that multiple organ
systems in the body are affected). Characteristically, the overall
vascular system is damaged, and the body's ability to regulate itself
is impaired. These symptoms are often accompanied by hemorrhage;
however, the bleeding is itself rarely life-threatening. Viral
hemorrhagic fevers are caused by viruses of several distinct families,
namely the arenaviruses, the filoviruses, the bunyaviruses, and some
flaviviruses. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, likely candidates
beside Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus include Marburg, Lassa and
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses. Further information is awaited.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is
available at:
<http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html>.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo can be accessed at: <http://healthmap.org/r/008z>. -
Mod.CP]
ORIENTAL) SUSPECTED, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
**********************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Thu 25 Mar 2010
Source: Sous le Manguier, Xinhuanet report [in French, trans. & summ.
Mod.CP, edited]
<http://www.souslemanguier.com/nouvelles ... ys=148&rub>
6 suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever have been recorded between 2
and 14 Mar 2010 in the Kitule Health Zone, which lies 135 km south of
Buta in Orientale province in the north-east of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to Bienvenue Apatala, a
physician in the Kitule Health Zone who confirmed this information on
Thursday [25 Mar 2010], 3 of the 6 victims have died, and the other 3
patients are in a nearby hospital. The virus responsible for this
outbreak has not yet been identified.
However, all 6 patients exhibited similar signs: high fever, extreme
fatigue, and vomiting with discharge of blood. Blood samples from the
patients have been sent to Kinshasa for appropriate laboratory analysis.
This outbreak of disease with symptoms reminiscent of Ebola
hemorrhagic fever has created panic in the local population. Ebola
hemorrhagic fever virus infection is usually accompanied by a rapid
rise in temperature, extreme weakness, myalgia, headache and
difficulty in swallowing. Fever is succeeded by vomiting, renal
insufficiency, hepatitis and hemorrhage. The disease is transmitted by
contact with blood and other secretions. There is no specific vaccine
for protection against Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
Outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever were recorded in Orientale
province in 1999 and 2000. It had occurred previously in Equateur
province during 1976 and in 1977, at Bandunduin in 1995 and in
Kasai-Occidental in 2007 and 2008.
--
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[Ebola hemorrhagic fever is suspected not unreasonably on the basis of
its prior occurrence in Orientale province of the Democratic Republic
of Congo in earlier years. However, the clinical features and the high
CFR are not sufficient to confirm this diagnosis.
In general, the term "viral hemorrhagic fever" is used to describe a
severe multisystem syndrome (multisystem means that multiple organ
systems in the body are affected). Characteristically, the overall
vascular system is damaged, and the body's ability to regulate itself
is impaired. These symptoms are often accompanied by hemorrhage;
however, the bleeding is itself rarely life-threatening. Viral
hemorrhagic fevers are caused by viruses of several distinct families,
namely the arenaviruses, the filoviruses, the bunyaviruses, and some
flaviviruses. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, likely candidates
beside Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus include Marburg, Lassa and
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses. Further information is awaited.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is
available at:
<http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html>.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo can be accessed at: <http://healthmap.org/r/008z>. -
Mod.CP]
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Verdacht auf Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Isiro + Dungu
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: (ORIENTALE) SUSPECTED
*****************************************************************************
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sun 12 Aug 2012
Source: AFRIScoop.com (Xinhua report) [In French, transl., edited]
http://www.afriscoop.net/journal/spip.php?breve12773
Suspected cases of Ebola virus detected in Orientale Province
-------------------------------------------------------------
A total of 5 suspected cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been detected in Isiro, chief town of the district of Haut Uele, Orientale Province (north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC)], said Jean-Marc Madindi, provincial medical inspector of the Eastern Province, on Sun 12 Aug 2012. "Another case where death ensued, was notified in Dungu, one of 6 areas that make up the district of Haut Uele. We are waiting for test results to diagnose the virus," said Mr Madindi, adding that all cases are closely monitored in Dungu and Isiro, without giving further details.
An outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (VHF) has emerged since last July [2012], 200 km [124 miles] from Kampala in Uganda, killing 14 people on 20 confirmed cases. Given the proximity between the Eastern Province and the eastern part of Uganda, and the intense traffic between the 2 countries, humanitarian actors [doctors?] in DRC have taken preventive measures to deal with this epidemic.
Haemorrhagic fever, against which there is no treatment or vaccine, kills between 50 and 90 per cent of sufferers. It is also highly contagious by direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or when handling contaminated corpses carelessly. In the DRC, Ebola haemorrhagic fever occurred previously in Equateur province in 1976-1977 (north west), in Bandundu province (south west) in 1995, in the Eastern Province in 1999 and 2000, and in Kasai Occidental (center) in 2007 and 2008.
--
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[This Orientale province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is adjacent to the region of Uganda currently experiencing an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever. It is tempting to infer that the 2 outbreaks are related. The Ugandan outbreak has been caused by Sudan ebolavirus. Confirmation and identification of the virus responsible for the DRC outbreak are awaited.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/008z. - Mod.CP]
*****************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sun 12 Aug 2012
Source: AFRIScoop.com (Xinhua report) [In French, transl., edited]
http://www.afriscoop.net/journal/spip.php?breve12773
Suspected cases of Ebola virus detected in Orientale Province
-------------------------------------------------------------
A total of 5 suspected cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been detected in Isiro, chief town of the district of Haut Uele, Orientale Province (north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC)], said Jean-Marc Madindi, provincial medical inspector of the Eastern Province, on Sun 12 Aug 2012. "Another case where death ensued, was notified in Dungu, one of 6 areas that make up the district of Haut Uele. We are waiting for test results to diagnose the virus," said Mr Madindi, adding that all cases are closely monitored in Dungu and Isiro, without giving further details.
An outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (VHF) has emerged since last July [2012], 200 km [124 miles] from Kampala in Uganda, killing 14 people on 20 confirmed cases. Given the proximity between the Eastern Province and the eastern part of Uganda, and the intense traffic between the 2 countries, humanitarian actors [doctors?] in DRC have taken preventive measures to deal with this epidemic.
Haemorrhagic fever, against which there is no treatment or vaccine, kills between 50 and 90 per cent of sufferers. It is also highly contagious by direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or when handling contaminated corpses carelessly. In the DRC, Ebola haemorrhagic fever occurred previously in Equateur province in 1976-1977 (north west), in Bandundu province (south west) in 1995, in the Eastern Province in 1999 and 2000, and in Kasai Occidental (center) in 2007 and 2008.
--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This Orientale province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is adjacent to the region of Uganda currently experiencing an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever. It is tempting to infer that the 2 outbreaks are related. The Ugandan outbreak has been caused by Sudan ebolavirus. Confirmation and identification of the virus responsible for the DRC outbreak are awaited.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/008z. - Mod.CP]
- Karte: Google Maps
Dungu = Punkt A / Isiro = Punkt B
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Verdacht auf Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Isiro und Dungu
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (02): (ORIENTALE) SUSPECTED
**********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 15 Aug 2012
Source: Afriquinfos.com, Xinhua News Agency [in French, machine trans., edited]
http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/201 ... 208346.asp
DRC: Ebolavirus kills 4 out of 7 cases in Orientale province
------------------------------------------------------------
[Ebola virus disease] has killed 4 people among 7 cases in the Haut Uele District of Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement on 14 Aug 2012 by Jean-Marc Madindi, provincial medical inspector of Orientale Province. According to Dr Madindi, 3 deaths among 6 cases occurred in the district of Haut Uele, and a angle death in Dungu district. Samples from these cases have been sent to a diagnostic Laboratory in Uganda for confirmation by laboratory techniques, and the results are awaited. The provincial health authorities are being supported by the Belgian branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres.
The chief medical officer of health of the Butembo District Health District, Dr Mundama Witende, has advised the urban populations of Beni and Butembo, which are located along the border with Uganda, to adopt strict procedures to prevent cross-border movements without good reason. The population have also been instructed to avoid consumption of meat derived from primates. Likewise, the population has been advised to avoid contact with the blood or secretions of patients suspected to have contracted [Ebola virus disease]. The bodies of those thought to have died as a result of ebolavirus infection should not be touched or washed.
An outbreak of [Ebola virus disease] was reported at the beginning of July [2012] in Uganda at a place located 200 kilometres [124 mi] from the capital Kampala and about 50 kilometres [31 mi] from the border with the Orientale and Nord-Kivu provinces of the DRC.
Ebola fever is highly contagious through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or when carelessly handling contaminated corpses. Since ebolavirus virus was first identified in 1976, 15 epidemics have affected central Africa, including the DRC, Gabon, Congo/Brazzaville [Republic of the Congo], Sudan, and Uganda. In the DRC, [Ebola virus disease] has previously occurred in 1976 in Equateur (northwest), in 1995 in Bandundu (southwest), in 1999 and 2000 in Orientale Province, and in 2007 and 2008 in Kasai Occidental (central).
--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The Orientale province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is adjacent to the region of Uganda currently experiencing an outbreak of Ebola virus disease. It is tempting to infer that the 2 outbreaks are related. The Ugandan outbreak has been caused by Sudan virus. Confirmation and identification of the virus responsible for the DRC outbreak are awaited.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/35-r. - Mod.CP]
**********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 15 Aug 2012
Source: Afriquinfos.com, Xinhua News Agency [in French, machine trans., edited]
http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/201 ... 208346.asp
DRC: Ebolavirus kills 4 out of 7 cases in Orientale province
------------------------------------------------------------
[Ebola virus disease] has killed 4 people among 7 cases in the Haut Uele District of Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement on 14 Aug 2012 by Jean-Marc Madindi, provincial medical inspector of Orientale Province. According to Dr Madindi, 3 deaths among 6 cases occurred in the district of Haut Uele, and a angle death in Dungu district. Samples from these cases have been sent to a diagnostic Laboratory in Uganda for confirmation by laboratory techniques, and the results are awaited. The provincial health authorities are being supported by the Belgian branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres.
The chief medical officer of health of the Butembo District Health District, Dr Mundama Witende, has advised the urban populations of Beni and Butembo, which are located along the border with Uganda, to adopt strict procedures to prevent cross-border movements without good reason. The population have also been instructed to avoid consumption of meat derived from primates. Likewise, the population has been advised to avoid contact with the blood or secretions of patients suspected to have contracted [Ebola virus disease]. The bodies of those thought to have died as a result of ebolavirus infection should not be touched or washed.
An outbreak of [Ebola virus disease] was reported at the beginning of July [2012] in Uganda at a place located 200 kilometres [124 mi] from the capital Kampala and about 50 kilometres [31 mi] from the border with the Orientale and Nord-Kivu provinces of the DRC.
Ebola fever is highly contagious through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or when carelessly handling contaminated corpses. Since ebolavirus virus was first identified in 1976, 15 epidemics have affected central Africa, including the DRC, Gabon, Congo/Brazzaville [Republic of the Congo], Sudan, and Uganda. In the DRC, [Ebola virus disease] has previously occurred in 1976 in Equateur (northwest), in 1995 in Bandundu (southwest), in 1999 and 2000 in Orientale Province, and in 2007 and 2008 in Kasai Occidental (central).
--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The Orientale province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is adjacent to the region of Uganda currently experiencing an outbreak of Ebola virus disease. It is tempting to infer that the 2 outbreaks are related. The Ugandan outbreak has been caused by Sudan virus. Confirmation and identification of the virus responsible for the DRC outbreak are awaited.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/35-r. - Mod.CP]
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Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Isiro und Dungu
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo
17.08.2012 - WHO
On 17 August 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Isiro and Dungu Health Zones of Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. A total of 10 suspected cases (9 in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) and 6 deaths (5 deaths in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) have been reported.
Laboratory investigations conducted at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Entebbe, Uganda, confirmed Ebola virus (Bundibugyo species). Three samples taken from two patients turned out positive for Ebola. A National Task Force convened by the Congolese Ministry of Health, is working with several partners including WHO, MSF and CDC. A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team are in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and case management.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory, case management, logistics for outbreak, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of experts from Congo, DRC and IST/Gabon comprised of an epidemiologist, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilisation officers are being mobilized for possible deployment in the field. Control activities that are being carried include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization and reinforcing infection control practices.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gruß
Birgitt
17.08.2012 - WHO
On 17 August 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Isiro and Dungu Health Zones of Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. A total of 10 suspected cases (9 in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) and 6 deaths (5 deaths in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) have been reported.
Laboratory investigations conducted at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Entebbe, Uganda, confirmed Ebola virus (Bundibugyo species). Three samples taken from two patients turned out positive for Ebola. A National Task Force convened by the Congolese Ministry of Health, is working with several partners including WHO, MSF and CDC. A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team are in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and case management.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory, case management, logistics for outbreak, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of experts from Congo, DRC and IST/Gabon comprised of an epidemiologist, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilisation officers are being mobilized for possible deployment in the field. Control activities that are being carried include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization and reinforcing infection control practices.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gruß
Birgitt
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Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Isiro
Outbreak of Ebola virus strikes DR Congo town of IsiroAt least one person has died after an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say. The death is one of two cases of the virus discovered in the town of Isiro. Medical charity workers say they are attempting to find and isolate anyone who has been in contact with those infected by the virus. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says the strain is not the same as the kind found recently in neighbouring Uganda [...] "There is no link between both epidemics at this moment," Anja de Weggheleire, of MSF
18.08.2012 - BBC
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Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Isiro und Dungu
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (04): ORIENTALE PROVINCE
*******************************************************************************
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Date: 20 Aug 2012
Source: RT News [edited]
http://rt.com/news/ebola-outbreak-congo-nine-dead-048/
Deadly Ebola outbreak: 9 killed in DR Congo
-------------------------------------------
A total of 9 people have died from an outbreak of the Ebola fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), only weeks after the virulent disease was declared "under control" in neighbouring Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. The new cases of the Ebola fever were detected near the country's northwestern town of Isiro, the Congolese health minister said. A group of specialists from various international organizations -- the WHO, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -- are working in the country alongside local doctors. They are conducting a detailed epidemiological investigation, and are attempting to quarantine people who may have been in contact with those infected.
The new outbreak comes just weeks after another Ebola epidemic in raises the number of fatalities in this outbreak from Uganda -- roughly 30 miles from its border with the DRC -- was declared to be over. The Ugandan outbreak killed 16 people in July [2012]. The 2 epidemics are not believed to be linked, since the virus strain found in the DRC is different from the one identified in Uganda, MSF reported.
Ebola is a rare [sometimes] haemorrhagic virus, 1st discovered in 1976 in Zaire (now the DRC). The disease was named after a small river in the country. Symptoms of Ebola infection include a sudden onset of fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting and kidney failure. The virus is reportedly fatal in 50-90 percent of cases [depending on virus strain - Mod.CP]. In the most severe infections, victims bleed from bodily orifices before dying. There is no treatment and no vaccine for Ebola fever, which is transmitted by close personal contact. It can also be transmitted to humans through the handling of infected animal carcasses, including monkeys and birds.
Congo's last major Ebola epidemic in 1995 killed 245 people. Recent Ebola outbreaks were recorded in Uganda, when 37 people were killed in the western part of the country in 2007, and when at least 170 died in the nation's northern region in 2000.
--
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[This report raises the number of fatalities from the 6 reported by the WHO on 17 Aug 2012 to 10. No additional information is provided beyond that contained in the WHO statement reported in ProMED-mail post 'Ebola hemorrhagic fever - Congo DR (03): (OE) Bundibugyo virus conf 20120818.1250930'. The number of people affected, previously given as 10, is not stated. Further information is awaited. The simultaneous outbreak of Ebola virus infection in close proximity, caused by different strains of the virus, suggests that some climatic or environmental factor may be involved.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at:
http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/008z. - Mod.CP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1Ahy.]
*******************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 20 Aug 2012
Source: RT News [edited]
http://rt.com/news/ebola-outbreak-congo-nine-dead-048/
Deadly Ebola outbreak: 9 killed in DR Congo
-------------------------------------------
A total of 9 people have died from an outbreak of the Ebola fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), only weeks after the virulent disease was declared "under control" in neighbouring Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. The new cases of the Ebola fever were detected near the country's northwestern town of Isiro, the Congolese health minister said. A group of specialists from various international organizations -- the WHO, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -- are working in the country alongside local doctors. They are conducting a detailed epidemiological investigation, and are attempting to quarantine people who may have been in contact with those infected.
The new outbreak comes just weeks after another Ebola epidemic in raises the number of fatalities in this outbreak from Uganda -- roughly 30 miles from its border with the DRC -- was declared to be over. The Ugandan outbreak killed 16 people in July [2012]. The 2 epidemics are not believed to be linked, since the virus strain found in the DRC is different from the one identified in Uganda, MSF reported.
Ebola is a rare [sometimes] haemorrhagic virus, 1st discovered in 1976 in Zaire (now the DRC). The disease was named after a small river in the country. Symptoms of Ebola infection include a sudden onset of fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting and kidney failure. The virus is reportedly fatal in 50-90 percent of cases [depending on virus strain - Mod.CP]. In the most severe infections, victims bleed from bodily orifices before dying. There is no treatment and no vaccine for Ebola fever, which is transmitted by close personal contact. It can also be transmitted to humans through the handling of infected animal carcasses, including monkeys and birds.
Congo's last major Ebola epidemic in 1995 killed 245 people. Recent Ebola outbreaks were recorded in Uganda, when 37 people were killed in the western part of the country in 2007, and when at least 170 died in the nation's northern region in 2000.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This report raises the number of fatalities from the 6 reported by the WHO on 17 Aug 2012 to 10. No additional information is provided beyond that contained in the WHO statement reported in ProMED-mail post 'Ebola hemorrhagic fever - Congo DR (03): (OE) Bundibugyo virus conf 20120818.1250930'. The number of people affected, previously given as 10, is not stated. Further information is awaited. The simultaneous outbreak of Ebola virus infection in close proximity, caused by different strains of the virus, suggests that some climatic or environmental factor may be involved.
A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at:
http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-r ... l-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/008z. - Mod.CP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1Ahy.]
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Ebola-Fieber in Kongo DRC - Isiro und Dungu
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo - update
21.08.2012 - WHO
As of 20 August 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths have been reported in Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 2 cases and 1 death in Pawa; and 1 fatal case in Dungu.
The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Suisse, MSF Belgique and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.
A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team is in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and support case management. Control activities that are being carried out include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization, and reinforcing infection control practices.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, field epidemiology, laboratory, case management, outbreak logistics, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of epidemiologists, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilization officers is being mobilized from the DRC, Republic of Congo, the WHO AFRO regional rapid response team, WHO Inter-Country Support team (IST) based in Gabon, and WHO HQ, for possible deployment in the field.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gruß
Birgitt
21.08.2012 - WHO
As of 20 August 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths have been reported in Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 2 cases and 1 death in Pawa; and 1 fatal case in Dungu.
The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Suisse, MSF Belgique and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.
A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team is in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and support case management. Control activities that are being carried out include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization, and reinforcing infection control practices.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, field epidemiology, laboratory, case management, outbreak logistics, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of epidemiologists, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilization officers is being mobilized from the DRC, Republic of Congo, the WHO AFRO regional rapid response team, WHO Inter-Country Support team (IST) based in Gabon, and WHO HQ, for possible deployment in the field.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gruß
Birgitt
