Kasai Oriental: Undiagnosed illness kills 33 children in Llebo - possible malaria

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Published Date
2010-09-17 10:53:05
Subject
PRO/EAFR> Undiagnosed illness - DR Congo: (Kasai Occidental), RFI
Archive Number
20100917.213256
Full Text
UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS - DR CONGO: (KASAI OCCIDENTAL), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
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Date: Fri 17 Sep 2010
Source: Radio Okapi [original French, machine translated; edited]

http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2010/09/13/ilebo-une-fievre-sevit-a-bukaka-deja-33-deces-parmi-les-enfants-de-moins-de-5-ans/

The town of Bukaka, Malumalu sector, in the health area of Bena
Mulumba Ilebo territory, is facing a fever whose nature has not yet
been determined and which has already caused the death of 33 children
under 5 years on 221 cases reported. The provincial medical
inspectorate is already dealing with this situation.

According to the chief doctor of the health zone of Ilebo, Dr. Andre
Bope, patients show signs of fatigue a few days after
hospitalization. The situation is aggravated by the the lack of assistance.

Pending action at the provincial level, a committee was formed
locally for management of patients. Meanwhile, another local team is
responsible for sensitizing the population to the observance of hygiene rules.

The head doctor of the health zone of Ilebo indicates that the area
of health Bena Mulumba has 2 water sources undeveloped: 1st,
initiated by rainfall, and secondly, attended by stray pets. At the
provincial level, the medical inspection has been informed of the
situation prevailing in Bukaka.

Dr. Gaston Tshiapenda, responsible for epidemiological surveillance,
said the cases are being studied to consider an appropriate solution.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR


[A cluster of children under 5 years of age with an undiagnosed
illness has been reported in Llebo, Kasai Occidental Province. The
clinical presentation of the affected children is not described in
the report but given the fact that the region is currently
experiencing rains, the disease could be related to parasitic
diseases like malaria or water-borne diseases that are endemic in the
region. Of note, according to the above report, there is a 15 percent
case fatality rate associated with this outbreak, and the outbreak is
described as affecting children less than 5 years of age. Additional
information on the clinical and epidemiological description of the
cases from knowledgeable sources in the region will be appreciated.

[alert]

Re: Kasai Oriental: Undiagnosed illness kills 33 children in Llebo - possible malaria

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1001:891401483935852::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,84879

Archive Number 20100918.3377
Published Date 18-SEP-2010
Subject PRO/EDR> Malaria - Congo DR: (KO), suspected, RFI

MALARIA - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: (KASAI ORIENTAL), SUSPECTED,
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Fri 17 Sep 2010
Source: Radio Okapi [trans. ProMED Mod.SC, edited]
<http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2010/09/14/kabeya-kamuanga-plus-de-35-enfants-meurent-d%E2%80%99une-maladie-apparentee-au-paludisme/>

Suspected outbreak of malaria
-----------------------------
A disease suspected to be malaria rage in the area of Lake Munkamba,
territory Kabeya Kamuanga in Kasai-Oriental [province]. Several
children aged under 5 years have suffered from the disease. A total
of 30 deaths have been recorded since the onset 2 weeks ago.

A team of epidemiologists from the Provincial Health Office and the
World Health Organization (WHO) have visited the area, and on 13 Sep
2010 Kabeya Kamwanga announced the publication of his report in the
coming days. Children victims of the disease showed signs of acute
fever and vomiting a few hours before they died.

A team of experts was dispatched to Lake Munkamba, after this
information was brought to the attention of provincial deputies. On
site, emergency kits of drugs and compounds of sampling equipment has
been transferred.

The provincial Minister of Health suspects the presence of a form of
malaria in this part of the territory of Kabeya Kamuanga. The causes
of this disease, he said, could be environmental health hazards, the
straying of wild animals, and the lack of mosquito nets in the region.

In July 2010, other cases of malaria have claimed several lives in
the area of health Katako Kombe, in the same province of
Kasai-Oriental.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Malaria is highly endemic in the area. It is unclear why the disease
should be malaria, and no mention of positive blood films for malaria
parasites have been mentioned. The presence of diarrhea as a key
symptom could point to a waterborne infection and an alternative.
Malaria in humans is not associated with a reservoir in wildlife and
the lack of bed nets in the area is probably not new. If it indeed is
malaria, the use of substandard or counterfeit drugs could explain a
surge in malaria deaths in an already highly endemic area.

ProMED will be happy to post further details. - Mod.EP]