DR Congo: WHO - Ebola outbreak Dec 20, 2008 + in Congo stabilized

[Gert van der Hoek]

Hemorrhagic fever blamed for 9 deaths in Congo

12/20/2008 |

KINSHASA, Congo - Medical authorities in Congo say nine people are dead from what could be hemorrhagic fever.

District Medical Inspector Edmond Mulamba says it is too early to label the illness. It is also too early to say if the deaths are due to ebola, a type of hemorrhagic fever.

He says tests were being run to determine the cause of the deaths in remote Kasai Province. At least 14 other people are suffering from symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, including high temperature and violent vomiting.

Mulamba says a team of doctors from the World Health Organization are traveling to the province.

Last year, at least 167 people died of ebola in the same district where the current illness is being reported, around 400 miles (700 kilometers) southeast of Congo's capital, Kinshasa. -

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/140420/Hemorrhagic-fever-blamed-for-9-deaths-in-Congo

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: DR Congo: Hemorrhagic fever blamed for 9 deaths

machinetranslated

Congo-Kinshasa: Mweka - An unknown disease has already caused 9 fatalities in Kampungu


Kinshasa - At Kasai Occidental, 9 dead are already registered 13 cases of an unknown disease that has been raging since late last November in the area of health Kampungu, about 60 km north-west of Kananga, as Chief Medical Officer Area health Mweka, reports radiookapi.net.

The first case was registered on November 27 last Karamba village in the area of health Kampungu. It was a woman died two days after the diarrhea and vomiting and high fever. After it came the turn, turn, his mother, his rival (co-wife) and baby it.

All had presented the same symptoms and were in contact with the first victim, according to assistant administrator of the territory of Mweka. The figures released Thursday by the provincial inspection of Health reported 13 patients registered during this period including 9 deaths.

The 4 patients still alive are all neighbors of the victim first and were instead mourning at the funeral organized by the family of the latter. Among them, the nurse treating the village.

According to the chief doctor of health zone, it is difficult yet to say precisely what disease it is. He nevertheless appealed to inhabitants of the place to observe the hygiene measures such as the Ebola epidemic last year.

In particular, avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms above, and do not eat the meat of dead animals themselves.

http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200812220754.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: DR Congo: Hemorrhagic fever blamed for 9 deaths

For similar reports from Congo:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77680

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70151

Ebola outbreak in 2007:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34067

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: DR Congo: Hemorrhagic fever blamed for 9 deaths

DRC: Nine die, dozens infected by suspected haemorrhagic fever


KINSHASA, 24 December 2008 (IRIN) - An outbreak of a suspected haemorrhagic fever has killed nine people and infected 92 more in Kasai Occidental, according to medical personnel.

The outbreak occurred in the health zone of Mweka, where a confirmed outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever killed several villagers in 2007.

"There are signs that could be associated with haemorrhagic fever but we have to wait for laboratory results to confirm this because there is also a gastro-enteritis outbreak in the area,? Edmond Mulamba, the Kasai Occidental provincial health inspector, told IRIN.

He said those infected had presented symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pains and eventually developed vomiting and diarrhoea.

Fran?ois Dumont, an official of M?decins sans Fronti?res (MSF-Belgium), said the cause of death would be confirmed once the results of blood and stool samples sent to laboratories in Kinshasa, Gabon and South Africa had been received.

Mulamba said the patients were from villages around Kampungu area ? where a serious outbreak of the Ebola virus was reported in 2007. During that outbreak, from September to October 2007, MSF emergency medical teams attended to 46 patients.

The DRC office of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that investigations had shown the first case in the latest outbreak was a premature baby. The 18-year-old mother, grandparents and others who attended the funeral died after experiencing headaches, fever, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Dumont said a five-member team from MSF's Congo Emergency Team, based in Kinshasa, had been deployed to Kasai Occidental to respond to the outbreak. The team, comprising a doctor, nurse, water and sanitation specialist, logistician and health promoter, is to assess the situation in the region.

"The team has special protection equipment needed for this type of outbreak and they will also build an isolation ward for potential patients," Dumont said.

He said MSF was also sending a team of four haemorrhagic fever specialists to the area.

Haemorrhagic fevers of the Ebola or Marburg type are contagious viral diseases without a cure. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, and later vomiting and diarrhoea. In the course of the disease, patients start bleeding.

Health officials say it is crucial to contain the disease as quickly as possible and prevent its spread as, depending on the strain of the virus, up to 90 percent of those infected die.

In 2007, 264 people were affected and 187 died of haemorrhagic fever in Kampungu village.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82082

[Shiloh]

Re: DR Congo: Hemorrhagic fever blamed for 9 deaths

Source: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org...le.cfm?id=3272

December 23, 2008
DRC: Hemorrhagic Fever is Suspected in Western Kasai Province

Nine people have died since November 27 from a disease suspected to be deadly hemorrhagic fever in the Western Kasai province, central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Whether these deaths were from hemorrhagic fever will be confirmed once the results come through from blood and stool samples that were sent to laboratories in Kinshasa, DRC?s capital, and also in Gabon and South Africa.

The Congolese Ministry of Health is closely following 92 people who have been in contact with the nine patients who have died, or developed similar symptoms.

Each of the patients affected by the disease is from a number of villages located around Kampungu village?the area where last year there was a serious outbreak of the Ebola virus. During that outbreak, in September and October, MSF emergency medical teams cared for 46 Ebola patients.

Currently, the Doctors Without Borders/M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF) teams in Kinshasa are in permanent contact with the Western Kasai health authorities. Hemorrhagic fever?of Ebola or Marburg type?is a contagious viral disease for which there is no cure. Symptoms start with fever, headache, muscle pains, and then people develop vomiting and diarrhea. Later, in the course of the disease, they can start bleeding. It is crucial to contain the disease as quickly as possible and prevent its spread as, depending on the strain of the virus up to 90 percent of those with the disease will die.

On December 23, a team of five from MSF's 'Congo Emergency Team' (PUC), permanently based in Kinshasa to respond instantly to any emergencies in the country, headed to Western Kasai. This PUC team?a nurse, a doctor, a water-and-sanitation specialist, a logistician, and a health promoter?began assessing the situation in the region. In addition, they bring special protection equipment needed for this type of outbreak and plan to build an isolation ward for possible patients.

MSF also sent another team of five hemorrhagic fever specialists to the area. An MSF project coordinator, a nurse, a logistician, and a water-and-sanitation specialist will flew from Brussels on December 23. An expert doctor and epidemiologist will join this team of specialists in the coming days.

[sharon sanders]

Re: DR Congo: Hemorrhagic fever blamed for 9 deaths

New Ebola outbreak in DRC: nine deaths and 21 patients identified

Il ya 1 heure

1 hour ago

KINSHASA (AFP) ? Une nouvelle ?pid?mie d'Ebola s'est d?clar?e dans le centre de la R?publique d?mocratique du Congo (RDC), faisant neuf morts et 21 malades recens?s, a indiqu? jeudi la radio Okapi, citant le ministre congolais de la Sant?, Augustin Mopipi.

KINSHASA (AFP) - A new Ebola epidemic broke out in the center of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), killing nine people and 21 patients identified, said Thursday Radio Okapi, citing the Congolese Minister of Health Augustine Mopipi.

Cette ?pid?mie est apparue dans la localit? de Kampongo, ? plus de 60 km de Mueka dans la province du Kasa? occidental (centre), a pr?cis? le ministre qui a soulign? que l'analyse des ?chantillons pr?l?v?s sur place ont confirm? l'existence de la fi?vre h?morragique d'Ebola.

This epidemic has emerged in the town of Kampongo to more than 60 km from Mueka in the province of Kasai Occidental (center), said the minister stressed that the analysis of samples taken on site have confirmed the existence of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever.

Maladie tr?s contagieuse, mortelle dans 50 ? 90% des cas, Ebola avait d?j? frapp? l'ex-Za?re ? trois reprises.

Highly contagious disease, fatal in 50 to 90% of cases, Ebola had struck the former Zaire on three occasions.

En 1976, le virus a tu? pr?s de 500 personnes de part et d'autre de la fronti?re entre le Soudan et le nord-est du Za?re, o? il avait ressurgi en 1995, faisant 245 morts dans la province du Bandundu (ouest).

In 1976, the virus has killed nearly 500 people on both sides of the border between Sudan and north-eastern Zaire, where he resurfaced in 1995, with 245 deaths in the Bandundu province (west).

En 2007, 26 cas confirm?s d'Ebola avaient ?t? enregistr?s dans la m?me province du Kasa? occidental, o? plusieurs ?pid?mies associ?es (Ebola, fi?vre typho?de, malaria, dysenterie) ont tu? 187 personnes.

In 2007, 26 confirmed cases of Ebola had been registered in the province of Kasai Occidental, where several outbreaks associated (Ebola, typhoid fever, malaria, dysentery) killed 187 people.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jQR9R2hCOZXCHnU_gKujJnfGKSWw

[Shiloh]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...2959359C726952

December 25 2008 at 04:07PM
Ebola epidemic kills scores in DRC

Kinshasa - A deadly Ebola outbreak in the central Democratic Republic of Congo has killed nine and infected 21, the UN-sponsored radio Okapi quoted the health minister as saying on Thursday.

The rare disease, named after a small Congo river, was found in the town of Kampongo, near Mueka in the Western Kasai province, according to Augustin Mopipi.

He added that analysis from samples taken on site confirmed the existence of the virulent disease, which kills up to 90 percent of its victims, mostly by puncturing blood vessels and spurring non-stop haemorrhage's.

The DR Congo has been hit by Ebola outbreaks three times before. In 1976 the virus killed nearly 500 people on both sides of the country's border with Sudan.

It struck again in 1995, killing 245 people in the western province of Bandundu, and a further 26 cases were confirmed in 2007 in the Western Kasai province, after 187 people died from a host of diseases, including Ebola, malaria, typhoid and dysentery.

[Shiloh]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Source: http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnLP581085.html

Congo government declares Ebola outbreak in south
Thu 25 Dec 2008, 14:42 GMT

KINSHASA, Dec. 25 (Reuters) - A mysterious disease that has killed nine people in southern Democratic Republic of Congo has been identified as the deadly Ebola virus, the Congolese health minister said on Thursday.

The virus appeared in southern Western Kasai province on Nov. 27, and blood and stool samples were sent to laboratories in Gabon and South Africa for identification.

"Following the analysis of samples taken in (the village of) Kalwamba, it is now recognised that we are facing an epidemic of the viral haemorrhagic fever Ebola," said health minister Auguste Mopipi Mukulumanya.

There is no cure or treatment for Ebola, which kills 50 to 90 percent of its victims. (Reporting by Joe Bavier; editing by Daniel Magnowski and Nita Bhalla)

[Shiloh]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...rJKYNFTAP5I6Fg

Ebola epidemic kills nine in central DR Congo: report

19 minutes ago

KINSHASA (AFP) ? A deadly Ebola outbreak in the central Democratic Republic of Congo has killed nine and infected 21, the UN-sponsored radio Okapi quoted the health minister as saying Thursday.

The rare disease, named after a small Congo river, was found in the town of Kampongo, near Mueka in the Western Kasai province, according to Augustin Mopipi.

He added that analysis from samples taken on site confirmed the existence of the virulent disease, which kills up to 90 percent of its victims, mostly by puncturing blood vessels and spurring non-stop hemorrhage.

French aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has nine workers based in the area, told AFP the Ebola outbreak may have infected 33 people in Kampongo, after the first suspected cases were reported on November 29.

"MSF is currently putting together an isolation unit with doctors, wearing overalls and masks, to help the people suspected of contracting the virus," said spokesman Francois Dumont.

"As there is no cure for Ebola, medical teams on the ground are giving people palliative treatment and anti-malaria drugs," he added.

The DR Congo has been hit by Ebola outbreaks three times before. In 1976 the virus killed nearly 500 people on both sides of the country's border with Sudan.

It struck again in 1995, killing 245 people in the western province of Bandundu, and a further 26 cases were confirmed in 2007 in the Western Kasai province, after 187 people died from a host of diseases, including Ebola, malaria, typhoid and dysentery.

[Treyfish]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

DRC: Hemorrhagic Fever is Suspected in Western Kasai Province
December 23, 2008


Nine people have died since November 27 from a disease suspected to be deadly hemorrhagic fever in the Western Kasai province, central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Whether these deaths were from hemorrhagic fever will be confirmed once the results come through from blood and stool samples that were sent to laboratories in Kinshasa, DRC?s capital, and also in Gabon and South Africa.

The Congolese Ministry of Health is closely following 92 people who have been in contact with the nine patients who have died, or developed similar symptoms.

Each of the patients affected by the disease is from a number of villages located around Kampungu village?the area where last year there was a serious outbreak of the Ebola virus. During that outbreak, in September and October, MSF emergency medical teams cared for 46 Ebola patients.

Currently, the Doctors Without Borders/M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF) teams in Kinshasa are in permanent contact with the Western Kasai health authorities. Hemorrhagic fever?of Ebola or Marburg type?is a contagious viral disease for which there is no cure. Symptoms start with fever, headache, muscle pains, and then people develop vomiting and diarrhea. Later, in the course of the disease, they can start bleeding. It is crucial to contain the disease as quickly as possible and prevent its spread as, depending on the strain of the virus up to 90 percent of those with the disease will die.

On December 23, a team of five from MSF's 'Congo Emergency Team' (PUC), permanently based in Kinshasa to respond instantly to any emergencies in the country, headed to Western Kasai. This PUC team?a nurse, a doctor, a water-and-sanitation specialist, a logistician, and a health promoter?began assessing the situation in the region. In addition, they bring special protection equipment needed for this type of outbreak and plan to build an isolation ward for possible patients.

MSF also sent another team of five hemorrhagic fever specialists to the area. An MSF project coordinator, a nurse, a logistician, and a water-and-sanitation specialist will flew from Brussels on December 23. An expert doctor and epidemiologist will join this team of specialists in the coming days.http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org...le.cfm?id=3272

[HenryN]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Update map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=p&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&num=200&start=400&ll=-4.379275,21.582642&spn=20.614306,26.850586&z=5&msid=106484775090296685271.00045ee0e932a0da7515e

[Shiloh]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Source: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org...le.cfm?id=3275

December 25, 2008
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Confirmed in DRC
MSF teams Teams Caring for Patients and Working to Control Epidemic

Blood samples from patients in the Western Kasai Province in central Democratic Republic of Congo that were sent to laboratories in Gabon have tested positive for Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Thirty -three people suspected of suffering from Ebola, including nine people who have died, have been reported since November 27. Additional blood and stool samples have been taken for testing.

A number of new patients suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus are being followed up. MSF is closely following a patient with fever at a health center in the village of Kaluamba .

An MSF team of nine Ebola specialists from Kinshasa and Brussels is currently working in Western Kasai. Logisticians are building an isolation ward in the village of Kampungu and putting in place all protection measures. The medical team is also providing care to all people suspected of having the disease. There is no cure for Ebola, so supportive and palliative care is provided.

In order to better understand the epidemic and to prevent further propagation of the virus, the MSF team is also identifying people who have been in contact with others infected with the Ebola virus. In case of new deaths, it will be crucial to ensure that bodies are buried properly, in order to prevent contamination.

An additional MSF doctor, a specialist in in hemorrhagic fevers, is departing tomorrow from Brussels and a health promoter will also reinforce the team from Kinshasa . MSF is considering dispatching additional specialists if needed.

[Giuseppe]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Reuters AlertNet - Congo government declares Ebola outbreak in south

Congo government declares Ebola outbreak in south

25 Dec 2008 16:49:27 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds details)
KINSHASA, Dec 25 (Reuters) -

The disease that has killed nine people in southern Democratic Republic of Congo has been identified as the deadly Ebola virus, the country's health minister said on Thursday.


The virus appeared in southern Western Kasai province on Nov. 27, and blood and stool samples were sent to laboratories in Gabon and South Africa for identification.

"Following the analysis of samples taken in (the village of) Kalwamba, it is now recognised that we are facing an epidemic of the viral haemorrhagic fever Ebola," said Health Minister Auguste Mopipi Mukulumanya.

There is no cure or treatment for Ebola, which kills 50 to 90 percent of its victims.

Mukulumanya said an Ebola epidemic in the same area last year was originally believed to have killed 174 out of more than 400 suspected cases. Medical experts now think the death toll may have been much lower.

"The country has had to face similar situations in the past. But this is the first time that an epidemic has hit the same area twice," he said. "Measures have already been taken to avoid the spreading of this epidemic to other locations."

Health ministry officials are monitoring 92 people believed to have been in contact with the nine victims or who have shown signs of the disease, which is spread by contact with the blood and bodily fluids of infected people.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres sent a team of doctors, nurses and logisticians to Western Kasai earlier this week. Haemorrhagic fever specialists and epidemiologists are also expected in the area.

Symptoms of Ebola begin with fever and muscle pain, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

A major outbreak of Ebola in Congo, then known as Zaire, in 1995 killed 250 of the 315 people infected.

(Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Daniel Magnowski and Nita Bhalla)

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LP601839.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Congo government declares Ebola outbreak in south</cite>

[HenryN]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Comemntary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12250801/Ebola_Congo_30.html

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak Confirmed, 9 Deaths

Comemntary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12..._Congo_30.html

Commentary

Thirty Ebola Cases in Democratic Republic of Congo
Recombinomics Commentary 16:51
December 25, 2008

A deadly Ebola outbreak in the central Democratic Republic of Congo has killed nine and infected 21, the UN-sponsored radio Okapi quoted the health minister as saying on Thursday.

was found in the town of Kampongo, near Mueka in the Western Kasai province, according to Augustin Mopipi.

The above comments describe a major outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Western Kasai (see map). One media report indicates 9 have died and 92 are infected. More information on the number of confirmed or suspect cases and possible spread would be useful.

In 1976, Zaire had one of the largest outbreaks, affecting over 300 people. Of note is the 18 BP region of identify between the 1975 Zaire isolate and H5N1. Ebola evolves via homologous recombination, which can lead to virulent strains.

In 2007 there was a major outbreak in adjacent Uganda (see 2007 map).

More recently, the Reston strain of Ebola was identified in Philippine swine. Although Reston has not been shown to cause illness in humans, opposition media in China reported that the 2005 outbreak in Sichuan Province that fatally infected dozens who had direct contact with swine, were infected by a recombinant Ebola strain (and the group reports multiple Ebola strains in China).

Sequence data on the swine isolates in the Philippines, as well as the current outbreak in the Congo, would be useful.



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