From: Finchley@aol.com
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 18:37:14 -0400
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola - Gabon: new outbreak

EBOLA - GABON: NEW OUTBREAK
===========================
[See: Ebola - Gabon (10)  960426]

Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 15:06:55 -0400
From: Finchley@aol.com


      BRAZZAVILLE, Oct 11 (Reuter) - A new outbreak of the Ebola virus has
killed seven people in Gabon, the World Health Organisation's regional
headquarters in Congo said on Friday. 

    The seven died in hospital last Saturday in the town of Boue, in Ogoue
Province east of Libreville, said Dr Andre Ndikauyeze, WHO's epidemiologist
in charge of surveillance in the area. 

   [At least 13 people died in the area last February in an outbreak of
Ebola, which is marked by fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and massive bleeding,
and kills most of its victims. Health officials said then the virus broke 
out among families who ate or handled dead chimpanzees in the remote area.]

    Ndikauyeze told reporters the number of cases in the latest outbreak was
not yet known but 27 people, including relatives and health workers, had come
in contact with the dead. 

    Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with blood secretions or body
fluids. 

    The virus struck in Kikwit, Zaire in May 1995, killing 245 people -- a 77
percent fatality. A single victim in Ivory Coast last December survived. 
......................................................................jw