[Hlth] Government And WHO Confirm Ebola Outbreak

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[Hlth]Congo Government And WHO Confirm Ebola Outbreak

http://allafrica.com/stories/200311170418.html

<b>Government And WHO Confirm Ebola Outbreak
</b>
Brazzaville

The health ministry of the Republic of Congo (ROC), together with the World Health Organisation (WHO), on 14 November confirmed that a new outbreak of acute haemorrhagic fever syndrome in the northwestern department of Cuvette Ouest was, in fact, the Ebola virus.

On 7 November, WHO had reported that a total of 12 suspected cases of acute haemorrhagic fever syndrome including nine deaths had been reported in Mbomo District in Cuvette Ouest.

"Findings of blood-sample analyses were officially communicated to us on Friday [14 November] by the World Health Organisation," ROC Health Minister Dr Alain Moka told IRIN on 15 November.

The blood samples were tested by the Institut de Recherches pour le Developpement at the Centre International des Recherches Medicales de Franceville, in neighbouring Gabon.

The WHO office in the ROC capital, Brazzaville, said the current outbreak had originated in the village of Mbanza, some 15 km from Mbomo, when a family consumed a dead wild boar they had found in the forest, with the first death occurring on 16 October. It said that although the epidemic was thus far confined to Mbomo District, there was a "serious risk" of the disease spreading to the nearby districts of Kelle and Itoumbi.

According to Moka, 11 people of 13 confirmed cases in Mbomo and Mbanza have died thus far.



On 5 June 2003, the last outbreak of acute haemorrhagic fever syndrome, which was determined to have been the Ebola virus, was declared over by Moka. According to the WHO, 128 people of 143 confirmed cases died during that epidemic, which ensued following the handling and consumption of dead gorillas.

The ROC authorities said that whereas they had not yet imposed a quarantine for the current outbreak, population movements in the affected region were being limited.
 
C

CanadaSue

Membership Revoked
I wasn't aware Ebola infected swine of any species...

... but I've done no Ebola reading lately.

A vaccine has been formulated that had been effective against at least 1 species of primates - I'll have to check back. The last word was that in the event of a new human outbreak, human field trials would occur. They're hoping to vax health care workers responding to the outbreak.

I'll see if that is indeed what is going to happen. I THINK CDC developed the vaccine - I may be wrong.
 
B

Bill P

Inactive
It looks like public health officials are up against a wall of ignorance - not good.

FAIR USE

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/st.../20031125/062931591.htm&photoid=20030618NY199

Deadly Ebola virus kills 18 in northwest Congo


BRAZZAVILLE, Nov 25 (Reuters) - An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has killed 18 people in northwestern Congo Republic, where the disease killed 120 earlier this year, state television said.

One hundred and sixty-four people have come into contact with the disease around Mbomo, some 700 km (440 miles) northwest of the central African nation's capital Brazzaville and just across the border from Gabon, Tele-Congo said on Monday night.

Teams from Congo Republic's health ministry, the World Health Organisation and aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres were in the Mbomo region trying to break the chain of contamination.

There is no known cure for Ebola, which is passed on by infected body fluids and kills between 50 and 90 percent of victims depending on the strain.


The disease damages blood vessels and can cause bleeding, diarrhoea and shock. Its worst outbreak, in 1995, killed more than 250 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.


Officials believe the latest outbreak, first reported earlier this month, started after a group of hunters ate a dead boar they found in the forest.


Scientists think the previous Ebola outbreak in the region, known as Cuvette-Ouest, was caused by the consumption of infected monkey meat. Bushmeat is a staple among forest communities and a delicacy in many cities.


Many locals, however, believe occult forces are behind the spread of the disease. They have recently blamed Red Cross workers for conjuring up the virus through black magic.


During the previous outbreak, villagers stoned and beat to death four teachers accused of casting a spell to cause the disease.



11/25/03 06:29
 
B

Bill P

Inactive
Sue - it looks like National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is pioneering the ebola vaccine.


U.S. starts trial of Ebola vaccine
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 Posted: 4:34 PM EST (2134 GMT)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. researchers said Tuesday they were starting testing on the first experimental vaccine against the Ebola virus in people.

The virus, which kills anywhere between 50 and 90 percent of victims, is still rare but the most recent outbreak in Congo Republic has killed at least 11 people in a remote forest region.

It is considered a threat because it is deadly, highly infectious and has no treatment. U.S. experts fear it could also be used as a biological weapon.

The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will test the vaccine for safety in about two dozen volunteers.

The vaccine, made by San Diego-based Vical Inc., has so far fully protected monkeys from the virus. It uses pieces of DNA from the virus to prime the immune system.

"Our accelerated effort to understand and combat Ebola infection is part of the NIAID commitment to its biodefense mission," NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a statement.

"An effective Ebola vaccine not only would provide a life-saving advance in countries where the disease occurs naturally, it also would provide a medical tool to discourage the use of Ebola virus as an agent of bioterrorism."

The World Health Organization has been called in to help with the most recent Congo outbreak of Ebola, which kills through shock and which can cause internal bleeding.

The virus is named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo where it was discovered in 1976. The worst outbreak was in that country in 1995 when more than 250 died.

"The current Ebola outbreak in the Congo provides a stark reminder of the need to rapidly develop vaccines against such perilous infections," NIAID vaccine chief Dr. Gary Nabel said in a statement.

"A few years ago, we did not imagine that our vaccine would enter human trials so quickly, but the reemergence of such viruses makes it all the more important to respond quickly.

In the trial, 27 volunteers will get three injections over two months and will be followed for one year. They will not be exposed to Ebola virus. The study is meant to show the vaccine is safe.
 
C

CanadaSue

Membership Revoked
Here's why it's so hard to stop...

... in that part of the world.

We're talking an area that's very, VERY poor. Bush meat is 'free' & an animal can be infectious without showing symptoms that are visible early on. It's HANDLING the meat that can transmit it - before it's cooked. Any cuts on the hands or other body parts which contact the animal's blood is all it takes.

What medical care is available is usually provided by charities & funding is tight. Often there's a complete lack of gloves, gowns, masks & bleach. Wearing these items & bleach disinfection stops Ebola dead - if good technique is maintained. If it can be. Easrly outbreaks were actually amplified in health care settings. Needles & syringes were RINSED in warm water between patiets, not cleaned or sterilized. A needle loaded with Ebola virions = death sentence.

Folks in that part of Africa prepare their own dead for burial, cleaning out body cavities, washing & dressing the dead. They also mourn over the victim, hugging & kissing them - practices guaranteed to spread Ebola.

Public Health officials have been fighting this for years, trying to make these poor folks understand that such practices make the spread worse. It IS getting across, the most recent outbreaks have been smaller. But they do have their versions of urban legends & when health authorities insist on burying bodies themsevles, with no cleanup or mourning period - rumours spread, unfortunately.

I've seen the story Bill posted - another issue to contend with.

It's a shame for as horrible as this illness is, it's easy to prevent spread once cases are identified.
 
C

CanadaSue

Membership Revoked
Update from the WHO

***Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Republic of the Congo - Update 3


25 November 2003

Disease Outbreak Reported

As of 24 November 2003, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of the Congo has reported a total of 36 cases, including 18 deaths, of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) in Mbomo (33 cases, 15 deaths) and Mbandza (3 cases, 3 deaths); villages located in Mbomo district, Cuvette Ouest Department (See previous report ).

The WHO Regional Office for Africa sub-regional epidemic response team for West Africa, staff from the WHO Country Office in Brazzaville, and Médecins sans Frontières (MSF-Holland) continue to support the Ministry of Health in Mbomo district. An isolation facility has been established, and contact tracing and social mobilization activities with communities in the region are ongoing.***


http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_11_25a/en/


The earliest cases were reported earlier in the month. In previous outbreaks, initial response from out of area/country was slow but so was thre initial progress of the disease. It seems to really ramp up - if it's going to - by about week 4/5. This is one of the most isolated, poorest districts of this beknighted country & it's encouraging that numbers are so far remaining low. Having said that, I'm not sure how much time they've been able to spend surveying outlying villages & camps for more cases.

I'm so grateful this has never been exported to & broken out in an equally por but more densely populated country - imagine INdia. It would be a real mess & genuine panic.
 
deja

deja

Inactive
It would be nice if somebody would put the word CONGO in the title, so we don't think it's HERE.:sb: I almost sh*t!
 
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