Date: Fri, 9 Jun 1995 15:24:05 -0400
Subject: PROMED: Ebola - Zaire: UPDATE
CURRENT WHO INFORMATION ON THE OUTBREAK IN ZAIRE
================================================
8 June 1995
Source: WHO Web page
The outbreak appears to be under control. Small numbers of cases are
expected to continue to occur among persons previously exposed. Up to
7 June, a total of 250 cases had been detected through active
surveillance and tracing of cases and deaths retrospectively back to
January 1995. Of 247 cases with known outcome, 201 have died (81%).
About 85% of the cases have been reported in Kikwit, the remaining
ones have been in Mosango, Bulungu, Gungu, Imbongo and Mukala in the
Sub-Region of Kwilu, Bandundu Region. No cases have been detected
outside the Bandundu Region. All rumours of possible cases are being
investigated. Members of the households where cases have occurred will
be monitored during the incubation period and beyond.
...........................................................................
--
Jack Woodall, ProMED List Moderator, New York State Dept.of Health, Albany
NY, USA
e-mail: jack.woodall@wadsworth.org
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 1995 18:09:27 -0400
Subject: PROMED: Ebola - Zaire: UPDATE
EBOLA HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER UPDATE
===============================
Source: WHO Web site
Zaire (14 June 1995). Six additional cases have been reported in
Kikwit since 6 June, bringing the total of new and retrospectively
detected cases to 282. Of the 279 cases with known outcome, 222 (80%)
have died. In addition to Kikwit, where most cases have occurred,
cases have been detected in 20 villages in he Kwilu Sub-region of
Bandundu Region. None of these cases represent new foci and all could
be traced back to cases in the initial outbreak. The emphasis is now
to prevent new contact cases from occurring in households of Ebola
cases and to ensure that hospitalized patients receive proper care
under conditions which are safe for the hospital staff and other
patients. Rumours and contacts of cases continue continue to be
followed up. It is to be expected that small numbers of cases will
continue to occur in the coming weeks. Studies are also underway to
identify the virus vector and reservoirs.
...........................................................................
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 1995 20:50:48 -0400 (EDT)
EBOLA HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER UPDATE
===============================
Source: WHO information update
Zaire (14 June 1995). Six additional cases have been reported in
Kikwit since 6 June, bringing the total of new and retrospectively
detected cases to 282. Of the 279 cases with known outcome, 222 (80%)
have died.
In addition to Kikwit, where most cases have occurred,
cases have been detected in 20 villages in the Kwilu Sub-region of
Bandundu Region. None of these cases represent new foci and all could
be traced back to cases in the initial outbreak. The emphasis is now
on preventing new contact cases from occurring in households of Ebola
cases and ensuring that hospitalized patients receive proper care
under conditions that are safe for the hospital staff and other
patients. Rumours and contacts of cases continue to be
followed up. It is to be expected that small numbers of cases will
continue to occur in the coming weeks. Studies are also under way to
identify the virus vector and reservoirs.
...........................................................................
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 1995 13:49:57 -0400
EBOLA - ZAIRE: DELAYED INFORMATION
==================================
[Note: this press release has been lurking on a part of WHO's Web page that
is invisible to my Mosaic reader - which points to the last release as being
1 June. If anyone finds anything, anywhere, relevant to Ebola - or any
other outbreak - before you see it posted here on ProMED's list, please
e-mail it to me. We in ProMED need your help. Thanks - Moderator]
*********
WHO Press Release 46 - 12 June 1995
RESURGENCE OF EBOLA FEVER IN ZAIRE
The International Scientific and Technical Committee, supported by the
team from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Zaire, today
reported a slight resurgence in Ebola haemorrhagic fever. In addition to
the cases that occurred between January and March 1995, which are
still being reported retrospectively, a few new cases have been reported
in the last few days.
The latest total is 277 confirmed or suspected cases, including 215
deaths, since the start of the epidemic. Thirteen new cases, 10 of them
now in hospital in Kikwit, have been reported since 9 June 1995. These
are people who have been in contact with patients and have reached the
end of incubation period for the disease. None are health workers, the
group which suffered most at the start of the epidemic.
All the new cases reported are in Kikwit. WHO specialists expect that
there will be a certain number of new cases, though they still maintain
that the acute phase of the epidemic has passed. This slight increase in
the number of cases does, however, show that vigilance must be
maintained and epidemiological surveillance increased.
Regional surveillance now covers 21 villages where patients stayed or
through which they passed on the way home from hospital to their own
villages. Twenty Zairian medical students are helping with this
surveillance, trying to trace any cases of infection.
In order to cope with these new cases and any others that might occur,
as well as improving health facilities the International Scientific and
Technical Committee is conducting research, especially with a view to
locating the animal "reservoirs" that might harbour the Ebola virus in
between epidemics.
________________________________________________________________________
For further information please contact Philippe Stroot, Health
Communication and Public Relations, WHO, Geneva
Telephone (41 22) 791 2535
..........................................................................
-- End --