Ebola patients bounce back to good health but suffer stigma

Mr Mugabi and his children leave Kagadi Hospital recently.

 PHOTO BY Francis Mugerwa

By FRANCIS MUGERWA & NIcholas KALUNGI (email the author)

Posted Saturday, August 18 2012 at 01:00

In Summary

According to Kibaale authorities, the worst stigma is being experienced in Kakindo and Muhorro sub-counties.

Kibaale/Kampala.

John Mugabi, 35, was a prosperous farmer and businessman dealing in agricultural produce. The resident of Butumba B LCI, Nyanseke Parish in Muhorro Town Council, had largely had a healthy and happy life with his family.

However, an illness that struck on the afternoon of July 29 changed the course of his life. Mr Mugabi developed high fever. A few hours later he began vomiting and suffered intense stomach pains. “When I was taken to Kagadi Hospital, I was put in an isolation ward,” he said as he rested his cheek on his left hand.

Luckily, he was one of the more than 50 patients who were admitted with clinical signs similar to those of Ebola disease but turned negative.

Instead of receiving warm reception from their communities, the more than 40 patients are being shunned. “Some people still fear to socialise with me. They fear that I may have Ebola” Mugabi says. “Whenever I go to buy goods, people run away from me. My businesses are suffering.”
He was discharged together with his children Costa Mugabi, 9, Businge Mugabi,5, and Geoffrey Kaija,7.

The District Health Officer, Dr Dan Kyamanywa, said his office has registered some cases where former patients are stigmatised and discriminated against. “The reception of these people varies. In some areas they get no problems while in a few other places, communities are in fear and anxious. They shun them,” Dr Kyamanywa said...

more  http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ebola+patients+bounce+back+to+good+health+but+suffer+stigma/-/688334/1481712/-/jo7guxz/-/index.html

Will the Candidates Tell Us about Their Policies on Pandemics and Biosecurity?

A new strain of H3N2 influenza virus transmitted from pigs to humans has caused U.S. patient cases to spike in the past two weeks. During the same time period, an Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda killed at least 14 people. Both these outbreaks are demanding cooperation among scientists and political leaders.

 Back in 2009, the world faced a pandemic H1N1 flu virus outbreak that prompted an additional U.S. vaccination campaign that year and eventually spurred the President to declare swine flu as a national emergency. Now, with U.S. elections around the corner, voters should know how key candidates plan to address future pandemics and biosecurity threats, and whether elected politicians will fund research on these topics and take scientific findings and recommendations into account when making decisions.
To learn where politicians stand on this issue and 13 others, Scientific American has partnered with ScienceDebate.org and asked the presidential candidates—President Barack Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney—to address science and technology policy during the campaign. We are also asking key Congressional leaders eight of the 14 questions. For the past few weeks, I have been contacting media contacts at Congress to coax responses. (I can now hum stanzas of all hold music played on these politicians’ phone lines.) I gave the Congressional leaders an August 24 deadline, and as yet only Rep. Henry Waxman’s staff has responded with a promise to answer.
SA health and medicine editor Christine Gorman posted the full set of 14 questions here and examined the first three in detail on a weekly basis. Thus far, we’ve had some great discussion and I now want to know your thoughts on the fourth question:

Question #4 Pandemics and Biosecurity: Recent experiments show how avian flu may become transmissible among mammals. In an era of constant and rapid international travel, what steps should the U.S. take to protect our population from emerging diseases, global pandemics and/or deliberate biological attacks?

Recent research on avian flu strain H5N1 showed the virus has pandemic potential because it can fairly easily mutate and could become transmissible from person to person—though natural strains have yet to morph into such a threat. The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity initially said in December 2011 that research papers on the virus’s specific mutations should not be published. Only after intense debate did scientists release the work to the public.
Pandemic responses requires level-headedness, but contagion can be unpredictable, so it is important that voters know how politicians plan to prepare for and respond to such potential crises. For instance, the very definition of a pandemic became political during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. A pandemic is essentially global outbreak—when a pathogen spreads from person to person and there is little or no immunity in the population.
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, part of our federal government and thus supported by taxpayer dollars, estimated the disease stuck between 43 million and 89 million people in the U.S., which was 14 to 29 percent of the population at the time.
While the CDC’s plan to deal with emerging disease mostly refers to unintentionally spread pathogens, many of the government’s policies focus on bioterrorism. On July 31, the White House released a.... 
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/08/17/will-the-candidates-tell-us-about-their-policies-on-pandemics-and-biosecurity/

Ebola kills one and three other contaminates in the Congo

 The cases occurred in Isiro, bustling market town near the border with Uganda, and involve a different strain of which killed 16 people there last month
The cases occurred in Isiro, bustling market town near the border with Uganda, and involve a different strain of which killed 16 people there last month, according to MSF.

 Ebola is transmitted from birds to monkeys and humans, and causes internal bleeding that kills up to 90 percent of the victims.

 Anja from Weggheleire, MSF medical coordinator in the region, said a victim's blood samples confirmed Ebola in Isiro, and that there are three other suspected cases being treated at a local hospital maintained by the entity.

 "We can not speak of a direct link between the two epidemics, I think unfortunately it's just pure coincidence," said De Weggheleire.

 MSF warned that because of the precariousness of the Congolese health system, it will be difficult to prevent the disease from spreading outside the city.
http://exame.abril.com.br/mundo/noticias/ebola-mata-1-e-contamina-outros-tres-no-congo

Mbale Ebola Suspects Test Negative

The samples from two suspected Ebola victims from Mblae have both tested negative, easing the tension that had gripped health workers at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital where they have been admitted.
Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44565#ixzz23qSUNJYo

DRC: Ebola kills 7 people in Eastern Province- 12 Cases

DRC: Ebola kills 7 people in Eastern Province
  August 17, 2012
The epidemic of Ebola virus was declared the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi said that this Friday, August 17 twelve cases including seven deaths were recorded in Eastern Province. It invites the public to observe measures of individual and collective hygiene, indicating that to date there is no drug or vaccine to fight against this epidemic that has resurfaced in Uganda at the beginning of July.

Felix Kabange request all Congolese to avoid touching any animal found dead in the forest or eating meat.

"We must also avoid touching unprotected blood, vomit or urine of a patient who died or who suffers from a viral hemorrhagic fever," he adds.

The Minister assured that "soon these preventive measures will be applied, the faster the spread of disease will be stopped."..
http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/08/17/rdc-le-virus-ebola-tue-7-personnes-en-province-orientale/

WHO-Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in DRC

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in DRC

17 August 2012 -On 17 August 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola Haemorrhagic fever in the Isiro and Dungu Health Zones of Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. A total of 10 suspected cases (9 in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) and 6 deaths (5 deaths in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) have been reported.
Laboratory investigations conducted at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Entebbe, Uganda, confirmed Ebola virus (Bundibugyo species). Three samples taken from two patients turned out positive for Ebola. A National Task Force convened by the Congolese Ministry of Health, is working with several partners including WHO, MSF and CDC. A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team are in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and case management.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory, case management, logistics for outbreak, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of experts from Congo, DRC and IST/Gabon comprised of an epidemiologist, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilisation officers are being mobilized for possible deployment in the field. Control activities that are being carried include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization and reinforcing infection control practices.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo   http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_08_18/en/index.html

Ebola in Uganda – update 17 August

Ebola in Uganda – update

17 August 2012 -The Ministry of Health of Uganda (MoH) continues to work with partners to control the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Kibaale district. The national and district task forces also meet daily to coordinate the response to the outbreak.
To date, 24 probable and confirmed cases including 16 deaths have been reported. Eleven cases have been laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. The last confirmed case was admitted to the Kagadi isolation facility on 4 August 2012.
Suspected cases which tested negative during the laboratory investigations have been discarded as Ebola patients, treated symptomatically for their ailments and discharged following recovery. A total of forty nine (49) people have been discharged from the isolation facility, including one confirmed case. All contacts of probable and confirmed cases are followed up daily for 21 days and are monitored for any possible signs or symptoms of illness. More than 70% of the 408 listed contacts have completed 21 days of follow up without developing any symptoms. All alerts of suspected cases in the other districts have been investigated and are so far negative for Ebola.
With the support of WHO and other partners, the Ministry of Health has established and equipped an isolation facility at Mulago National referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda in anticipation of receiving suspected cases from other districts, should they occur. Health workers who will manage the facility have already been trained.
Social mobilization teams comprised of Red Cross volunteers and village health teams have reached most of the villages and households in the most affected sub-counties in Kibaale district. These activities are reinforced by the distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, and by the broadcast of health awareness messages on radio and by film vans.
A team led by CDC has begun conducting ecological studies in Kibaale district to try and understand the likely source and route of transmission of this outbreak.

Neighbouring countries

Countries sharing borders with Uganda are taking steps to enhance surveillance for Ebola. At the time of this update, none of them have reported any confirmed cases related to the Uganda outbreak.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions are applied to Uganda.

PA Department of Health Reports Cases of New Flu Strain

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Health today reported four confirmed and six probable human cases of influenza due to a new strain of the flu known as H3N2v.
While this strain is typically associated with swine, both the departments of Health and Agriculture emphasize that handling or eating pork products presents no risk of exposure to influenza.
The Pennsylvania cases occurred among youth participants in the Huntingdon County Fair, Aug. 5-11. There are no reported hospitalizations. Although the investigation is ongoing, there is no evidence to date of the new flu strain spreading from person-to-person.
This is the same virus that has recently caused illness in Indiana and Ohio, mostly among..
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1l52o)

#H5N1 avian influenza in poultry in Nghia Hanh

  Updated at 19:57, Friday, 08/17/2012

Nhan Dan Online-afternoon 17-8, Nghia Hanh district veterinary stations (Quang Ngai) that has destroyed 1,500 poultry were positive for H5N1 virus.

  Nghia Hanh district veterinary stations found infected poultry farms in two of his Lake like Tuan, Nam Pho Hiep village, Hanh and Nguyen Quy Trung, Phu Nam village, Hanh Minh, County Executive.  Veterinary stations directly Nghia Hanh has taken 18 samples at six farms with dead birds sent Veterinary Center region IV (Da Nang) tests.The results showed that 6 out of 18 samples positive for H5N1 flu virus.

  Currently directing the County Administrative authorities urgently localized outbreaks, spray disinfection, sterilization to limit disease spread widely.
 According to the Center for Preventive Medicine in Quang Ngai, from the beginning of the year, the province has not happened avian influenza.  This is the first case appeared in Nghia Hanh H5N1 avian influenza in poultry must be destroyed, the same zoning standards, decontamination limits the spread ...   http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=vi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhandan.com.vn%2Fcmlink%2Fnhandandientu%2Fthoisu%2Fdoi-song%2Fi-s-ng-tin-chung%2Fd-ch-cum-h5n1-tren-an-gia-c-m-ngh-a-hanh-1.363145

08/16/2012

“There is Ebola is Uganda. No sign-of-peace in the Church”

Uganda, Ebola strikes again

These are the words of Sister Annette Kyaligonza who coordinates the health operations in the diocese struck by the virus

Davide Demichelisrome

Ebola strikes again in Uganda. The latest haemorrhagic fever outbreak has caused the death of 16 people in the last few months in the Kibaale district, just over two hundred kilometres from the capital city, Kampala. “As soon as the authorities released the news of this new epidemic outbreak, people panicked. In church we had to forbid shaking hands in sign of peace to avoid the risk of contagion” said Sister Annette Kyaligonza who coordinates the health operations in the diocese of Hoima, which includes areas stuck by the virus.

The Ebola virus was first identified in 1976, between South Sudan and the northern part of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of the Congo. The haemorrhagic fever causes death in 70% of reported cases. It seems that the virus is transmittable through direct contact with the blood, liquids or even just the undergarments worn by infected people. It seems that the first carriers of the disease were wild animals: monkeys, antelopes or bats. The origin and spread of Ebola are not yet clear, what is known for sure is that there are no cures or vaccines that can defeat the virus.
There have been 60 people hit by Ebola in the Kibaale district so far. Many are still in isolation in the Kagadi hospital. The first victim was a young girl of 16.?? She died on the 12th of June??, a week after being hospitalized. She had gone deep in the forest to carry out some research??. The Ugandan Health Ministry, the World Health Organization and some non-governmental organizations acted in aid of the population.
“ First of all we tried to raise awareness among the medical staff working in clinics and small health centres in the outskirts, they are the first to come in contact with the sick”. Sister Annette emphasizes that awareness is more important than medicines “Even those who make it through are then ostracized for fear that they can spread the disease. We are raising awareness among people so that these individuals can return to their communities of origin”.
A phone service has been set up as well as a radio programme and various teams of expert personnel who visit the families.

Unfortunately one can never be too careful, admits Sister Annette: “ A nurse in the health centre of Muhorro was infected by a patient. She is now in hospital in Kagadi, it seems that her situation is improving”. Ebola has already struck Uganda twice, in 2000 and 2007, causing approximately 200 deaths. In both instances the emergency lasted between two and three months.   http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/world-news/detail/articolo/uganda-17497

Suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) in ZS Isiro and Dungu

 􀂃 The health authorities have reported four suspected cases and seven deaths in the health zones of Isiro (6 cases
 and 3 deaths) and Dungu (1 case and 1 death), between 1 and August 13, 2012.
 Actions taken:
 - A team of the Provincial Division of health and that of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) arrived since
 the end of the week in Isiro, have made ​​available protection kits and sampling.
 - MSF briefed all members of the nursing staff of Isiro on precautions.
 - A site of isolation is primed to HGR Isiro, six nurses and two doctors will be charged in cases
 isolation.
 - A sample was taken on August 13 in Isiro and sent to MSF in Dungu to be transferred to Kampala on 14
 August.
 - The daily organization of the meeting of the Crisis Committee in Isiro.  http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Weekly%20PO%2008%20du%207%20au%2013%20vf.pdf

EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (02): (ORIENTALE) SUSPECTED

[Ebola virus disease] has killed 4 people among 7 cases in the Haut Uele District of Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement on 14 Aug 2012 by Jean-Marc Madindi, provincial medical inspector of Orientale Province. According to Dr Madindi, 3 deaths among 6 cases occurred in the district of Haut Uele, and a angle death in Dungu district. Samples from these cases have been sent to a diagnostic Laboratory in Uganda for confirmation by laboratory techniques, and the results are awaited. The provincial health authorities are being supported by the Belgian branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres.
http://www.promedmail.org/

Kasese on Ebola alert as residents share, feast on chimpanzee meat

A family of chimpanzees in Kibaale National Park. Chimpanzee populations all over the world are threatened with extinction .

 PHOTO BY GODFREY MUTEGEKI

By THEMBO KAHUNGU MISAIRI

Posted Friday, August 17 2012 at 01:00

In Summary

Health risk. The chimpanzee strayed out of the park on Saturday evening and on reaching the community, it was hunted down, killed and the meat shared for food.

An Ebola scare has hit Kasese District following an incident on Sunday when residents of Buhunga Village in Kilembe Sub-county killed a chimpanzee that had strayed from the park and shared the meat.

Despite calls by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to residents not to eat the chimpanzee because it may be the cause of the Ebola virus, the residents were busy roasting and feasting on the bush meat.

According to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Law enforcement Officer Mr Rujumba Bwambale, the chimpanzee strayed out of the park on Saturday evening and on reaching the community, it was hunted down and killed.

Mr Rujumba warned people not to eat the wild animal for fear of being the source of the deadly Ebola virus that is said to be from the monkey family where chimpanzees belong.

“I tried my best on behalf of UWA to warn people against eating the meat but they went on and ate it. I sounded out warnings immediately I heard of the information but no one has surrendered the meat. UWA is not responsible for whatever happens there after,” Mr Rujumba said.

He said although it is not confirmed that the chimpanzees carry the Ebola virus, it was important for people not to feed on their meat for their safety and wildlife conservation

Mr Rujumba says by the time he reached the scene with security personnel, the hunters had carried away most of the meat.
About one kilogramme was recovered and later transferred to the Virus centre in Entebbe for proper tests to check for any traces of Ebola.

“The specimen has been sent to Entebbe today (Monday) and we expect the test results soon so that something is done to the community. We are in touch with the district health office on this matter,” Mr Rujumba said.

The Kasese District health department is yet to sensitise the communities on the deadly Ebola disease since it broke out in Kibaale District. 

Dr. Yusuf Baseka, an officer in the health department told Daily Monitor that he will soon start the radio campaign messages against Ebola so that people are aware of the preventive measures and on how to report any suspected case.

However, a source in the health department said that the Ebola campaign would have kicked off two weeks ago but district leaders advised that the program be put on halt until after the by-election to avoid creating anxiety among voters.  http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese+on+Ebola+alert+as+residents+share/-/688334/1481024/-/vp5s7hz/-/index.html

Conflict erupts in Kibaale district over Ebola funds

A conflict has erupted among the Kibaale district politicians over the funds sent from government and those raised from civil society and individual contributors towards the fight against Ebola virus.
Ultimate Media has leant that a group of councilors calling themselves National Transition Council organized what they called ‘Kagadi district council meeting’ which they used to attack those believed to be eating the Ebola funds alone. Kagadi is one of the 25 proposed districts.

One of the complaining councilors, Robert Birungi Kanyaihamba told a press conference at Kagadi that those involved in the Ebola fight activities are often seen in Kagadi town purchasing goods and services at astronomical prices indicating that there is ‘money’ in the Ebola crusade.
Kanyaihamba appealed to those politicians who are involved in the direct fight against Ebola to
involve him and others left out in the activities such that they can also partake on the Ebola funds.
There have been rumors from Kibaale district that there is no longer Ebola patients in the district but those involved in the campaign want to continue enjoying allowances and have exaggerated the situation.
Kibaale district was hit by an Ebola outbreak since June this year and has killed more than 16 people. Close to 1.5 billion shilling has so far been disbursed to the district to assist in the campaign to stamp out the disease. http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/conflict-erupts-in-kibaale-district-over-ebola-funds/26793.aspx

Ebola Scare Throws Kabale Hospital into Panic

Business at Kabale referral Hospital is returning to normal after a stampede on Wednesday afternoon when a suspected Ebola patient was brought into the health facility.

Read more: [link to ugandaradionetwork.com]

Two suspected Ebola cases reported in Rukungiri district

20120816 2:38:55 AM EST
Two male patients have been admitted, isolated, and are being screened for the Ebola virus at Kisiizi Hospital in Rukungiri district, south western Uganda. The first patient was admitted on Sunday, August 5 while the second patient was admitted yesterday.
 
 One of the patients is said to have been in Kibaale district three week ago and later on decided to go back to his home in Rukungiri whereupon he fell sick and developed Ebola like symptoms.
 Sources from the hospital say that the patients have been isolated from the rest of the patients at the hospital and their samples sent to Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe for tests.
 Sister Moreen Tumwebaze, the nurse in-charge of the isolation section, told our reporter on phone from Rukungiri that they are closely monitoring the two patients.
 She said that the relatives of the patients had been prohibited from accessing them as part of the containment measures.
 
 Tumwebaze said that the patients are receiving specialized care from the hospital although she admitted that the hospital does not have enough protective gear in case they have to treat more patients.
 
 She however urged the people of Rukungiri to remain calm saying that the disease will be handled with extra care and asked them to follow the necessary precautions.
 Dr. Elisha Rutahirwa, the Rukungiri district director of health services, confirmed the admission of these two patients.

He could only divulge that the first patient is aged 16 and had spent a considerable time in Kibaale district before returning to his home district. He stressed that the two patients are under observation and not confirmed Ebola virus patients.
 
 He cautioned the residents to be careful in their travel to affected areas to avoid contracting the disease.
http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/two-suspected-ebola-cases-reported-in-rukungiri-district/26783.aspx

Study finds flu in healthy-looking pigs at state fairs

Lisa Schnirring and Robert Roos  Staff Writers

Aug 15, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – Testing of a sampling of pigs shown at the Minnesota State Fair during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic revealed that 19% of them were infected with flu viruses, even though they looked healthy, according to a new study.
The findings highlight the challenges of preventing pigs and humans from passing flu viruses back and forth at fairs and swine shows, especially this summer when several states are tracking human illnesses from a novel H3N2 virus that has been detected in both pigs and people.
The study, which appears today in Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID), was conducted by researchers from the University of Florida, University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University, and University of Iowa, along with scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
With the goal of watching for influenza A viruses in show pigs, the group recruited people ages 7 and older who were showing pigs at the Minnesota State Fair in 2008 and 2009 and the South Dakota State Fair in 2009. Participants filled out a questionnaire and allowed the researchers to collect nasal swab samples from their pigs. Just over 70% of participants were male, and the median age was 34.9 years. About a quarter of the pig handlers were younger than 18.
They used the CDC's real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) tests to screen the samples for influenza A viruses. Blinded samples were sent to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in St. Paul, where rRT-PCR testing for matrix, hemagglutinin, and neuraminidase genes was done, and specimens were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for molecular and genetic sequencing studies.
Specimens were collected from 149 pigs, including 47 and 57, respectively, from the Minnesota State Fair in 2008 and 2009 and 45 from the 2009 South Dakota State Fair. All of them were assessed as healthy by a veterinarian before they were cleared to enter their shows.
In 2008, investigators found no evidence of influenza A, but 12 (12%) of the 102 sampled collected in 2009 tested positive. These included 11 (19%) of the 57 samples from the 2009 Minnesota State...
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/general/news/aug1512showpig.html

EBOLA IN MBALE?

Published on Aug 15, 2012 by KilaMuj

As Uganda continues to ensure that it is Ebola free, more suspect cases or what the Ministry of Health refers to as alert cases are getting reported from all over the country.
The latest have been in Mbale district where over period of one week three men have been admitted at the referral hospital after exhibiting signs similar to Ebola of bleeding and vomiting.
Some parts of the hospital have been cordoned off while specimen have been taken by the Ministry of Health for clarification.

The Ebola virus kills 4 out of 7 cases recorded in Eastern Province

http://www.mediacongo.net/show.asp?doc=22285
Kisangani, 15/08/2012 (Xinhua / MCN, via mediacongo.net)

WHO reports another Ebola case in Uganda

WHO reports another Ebola case in UgandaThe number of probable and confirmed Ebola fever cases in Uganda has increased by one, to 24, since Aug 10, while the death toll was unchanged at 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in an update yesterday. The count of lab-confirmed cases also stayed the same, at 10, the WHO said. Forty-three people, including one confirmed case-patient, have been discharged from the Kagadi isolation facility after treatment and recovery, the agency said. The patients received counseling before their discharge and have been reintegrated into their communities. The WHO said counseling of people in the patients' communities has been very important in that it "has allayed fears and reduced stigma, enabling them to be accepted back in the community." All reports of suspected cases outside Kibaale district have been investigated and ruled out, officials said. Meanwhile, social mobilization teams composed of Red Cross volunteers and village health teams have reached most of the households in the affected subcounties of Kibaale district.
Aug 14 WHO statement

DoD tells two companies to suspend work on Ebola drugs
The US Department of Defense (DoD) recently told two companies that are testing treatments for Ebola virus infections to suspend the research because of funding constraints, the companies said. The treatments are being developed by Sarepta Therapeutics (formerly AVI BioPharma), based in Cambridge, Mass., and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp., based in Vancouver, B.C. In an Aug 7 statement, Sarepta officials said they received the stop-work order on Aug 2, while Tekmira reported the DoD order in a statement yesterday. Tekmira said it expects further word from DoD officials on the future of the program by Sep 1. Sarepta officials said the suspension does not apply to their DoD-funded work on a Marburg virus treatment. Meanwhile, experts quoted in a BBC News report today said availability of an Ebola vaccine is years away at best, even though vaccines have been tested successfully in animals. Gene Olinger, a virologist at the US Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Maryland, told the BBC, "With the current funding, if it doesn't change, I would say there should be a vaccine in five to seven years. It could double or triple it if the funding goes away." Also, Heinz Feldmann, MD, PhD, of Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, a leading authority on Ebola, commented, "It is hard to say when a vaccine might be available, if ever." Uncertainty over funding and lack of interest from large pharmaceutical companies were cited as obstacles to vaccine development.
Aug 7 Sarepta Therapeutics statement
Aug 14 Tekmira statement
Aug 15 BBC News story
[link to www.cidrap.umn.edu]

Ebola haemorrhagic fever: alerts in Orientale Province

 Tuesday, August 14, 2012 9:18
The epidemic raging in border district of Kibari in Uganda threatens the east and north-eastern DRC. The Health Minister, Felix Kabange Numbi, has decided to move up a gear by adopting urgent measures to bar the way to the progress of the epidemic to the DRC. The decision to strengthen epidemiological surveillance against the disease is part of planned preventive actions. As of August 11, at least 60 victims whose death was recorded in the Republic of Uganda.
All the effort aims to prevent progression towards Aru, DRC border district. This strengthening of the surveillance is even more crucial that the cases presented as warnings were reported in Orientale Province. The actions recommended by the Ministry of Health focused around awareness and community mobilization at the borders, especially in the axis Beni-Butembo (North Kivu) and in the territories of Aru, Dungu and Isiro (Orientale province).
Another important announcement is the creation of a joint team involving experts from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) and the organization Doctors Without Borders. Their mission is to take samples in the border areas to detect any suspected cases using appropriate equipment. To do their job safely, the team is equipped with protective equipment. "It is important that we can meet in the crisis committee to evaluate, analyze and take action in relation to the protection of the population. That is why it is important that we have this meeting epidemiological monitoring after which we took a series of measures, "said the minister.
In Kinshasa, where no alert is still being reported, it is time to evaluate the internal capacity to provide timely diagnosis that can not be disputed. Compared to this challenge, the health authority was keen to investigate the situation of operation of the National Institute of Biomedical Research. Felix Kabange Numbi visited the various departments of the National Laboratory (virology, entomology, bacteriology, biochemistry, parasitology, immunology and pathology).
A great event could change the lives of the institute in the coming months. "We will have a P3 level lab that was funded by WHO at the personal request of the Head of State, that after the last outbreak of Ebola in DRC. I came to visit the lab and see the space where this laboratory will be erected at the H3 level, "said the minister. As a reminder, of the 60 cases detected in Uganda, there were three health professionals.  http://7sur7.cd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35742:fievre-hemorragique-a-virus-ebola--des-alertes-dans-la-province-orientale&catid=8:depeche-de-brazzaville

Ebola Scare Hits Mbale

2012-08-15 18:19:22
John Waniaye, the Mbale District Health officer says the two patients are under close monitoring by the district health team

Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44519#ixzz23ebifwQ4

Netherlands flags LPAI: 31,870 birds destroyed

 

//15 Aug 2012

LPAI H7N7 has been discovered on a farm just south of the Dutch city of Utrecht in the village of Hagestijn.

Dr Christianne Bruschke, chief veterinary officier attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, has reported to the OIE an outbreak of Low pathogenic avian influenza with the serotype H7N7.
The outbreak, starting on the ninth of August on a free range farm, was discovered during a routine check. A positive PCR test by the Central Veterinary Institute in Lelystad confirmed the virus to be H7N7.
In total 31,870 free range laying hens were destroyed. There are no commercial holdings within one kilometre of the farm.
Standard quarantine measures have been installed. The OIE notes that the low pathogenic forms of avian influenza H5 and H7 in poultry is a notifiable disease, as per Chapter 10.4 on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2011). http://www.worldpoultry.net/news/netherlands-flags-lpai-31-870-birds-destroyed-10759.html

Uganda Ebola Outbreak in Uganda - update 14 Aug 2012 PDF

Uganda
 Ebola Outbreak in Uganda - update 14 Aug 2012
Report
–
Map
—
World Health Organization




Download PDF (221.89 KB)


14 August 2012. The Ministry of Health of Uganda (MoH) continues to work with partners including WHO, CDC, Red Cross, MSF, World Vision, PREDICT, among others to control the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Kibaale district. The national and district task forces continue to meet daily to coordinate the response to the outbreak.
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Ebola%20map.pdf

Vietnam-A/H5N1 flu outbreak in humans threatened

  Wednesday, 15.08.2012, 07:27 AM (GMT +7)

  The transformation of the avian influenza virus in the vaccine is disabled patients have an increased risk of virus to mutate, spread from person to person. Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Director of Preventive Health (MOH), said the bird flu are recurrent in some provinces such as Quang Binh and Ha Tinh and Hai Duong, Hai Phong and Ninh Binh is raised concerns about the A/H5N1 flu in humans.   If people have no sense of preventing the risk of transmission to humans is very large.  Potential risk of transmission
  According to Binh, from the beginning of the year, the country has discovered four cases of influenza A/H5N1, including 2 deaths. These cases were discovered in the early months of 2012.  This is also the time of influenza outbreaks in poultry.
  Meanwhile, the Veterinary Department (MARD), explaining the results of analysis show that the latest gene appears branch new bird flu virus in North, Central and Western Highlands. The emergence of new strains means that the protective effect of the vaccine before a new strain of bird flu this decline, only 35% -40%.

 . Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said that when the vaccine is not effective for prevention of diseases in poultry, the virus will quickly adapt and can easily spread to humans.  According to Hien, another factor is particularly concerned that people just discovered the phenomenon of translation as dead sick poultry, and fresh bird flu virus is often overlooked because there is no manifest for identification. This is considered the most difficult to control pathogens and potential risk of transmission from poultry to humans.
  Experts assess the epidemiology always appears at risk of additional cases of influenza A/H5N1 by husbandry practices of the people and practices in slaughtering, meat and poultry, especially duck dishes .
  A/H5N1 People do not have immunity to influenza A/H5N1
  Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien identify the origin of A/H5N1 flu...

 

 

 

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=vi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fus.24h.com.vn%2Fsuc-khoe-doi-song%2Fcum-a-h5n1-de-doa-bung-phat-o-nguoi-c62a476299.html

Recurrence of bird flu in Vietnam, killing several tens of thousand wings

  2012/8/15 (19:29) (Electronic version) is 15 days, provinces Ha Tinh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Hanamu, of Buchan, bird flu has occurred in the city of Hai Phong, and been culled wings several tens of thousand chickens and ducks ever broadcast voice of the [Vietnam] Vietnam reported.

  In the two ministries Hanamu, of Buchan, the bird flu virus highly pathogenic H5N1 type has been confirmed. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsclip.be%2Fnews%2F2012815_035427.html

Vietnam-Bird flu recurs in some localities

A number of cities and provinces across the country have declared an outbreak of avian flu, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of poultry.

The disease has spread over 11 hamlets in two communes of the central province of Ha Tinh, where it had been prevalent in the past but was not completely eradicated.

According to the provincial Animal Health Department, the rapid spread of the epidemic is due primarily to local people's lack of awareness about preventing the disease, as well as their outdated breeding methods.

Bird flu has also been discovered in other provinces, including Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam, Bac Kan and Hai Phong.

The progress of the epidemic has become even more complicated with the emergence of the deadly H5N1 virus in some areas of Thanh Chau and Thanh Nguyen hamlets in Ha Nam and Yen Thuong commune in Bac Kan.

The localities have boosted drastic measure to fight and control the epidemic, including sterilizing farms and setting up checkpoints on major transportation routes to prevent illegal trafficking of infected poultry.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/society/25750/society-in-brief-15-8.html

DRC: Ebola virus kills 4 out of 7 cases recorded in Eastern Province

KINSHASA (Xinhua) - The Ebola haemorrhagic fever has killed four people on seven cases in the district of Haut Uele, Orientale Province (north-eastern DRC), said on Aug. 14 Jean-Marc Madindi , provincial medical inspector of the Eastern Province.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012 | 13:48 UTC

 According to Dr. Madindi, there were 3 deaths in 6 cases registered in Isiro, capital of the district of Haut Uele and 1 death in Dungu territory. "Samples from patients were sent to appropriate laboratories in Uganda for analysis and we expect results, "he said, adding that the provincial department of health has the support of MSF / Belgium, including equipment.

 Moreover, the chief medical officer of health district Butembo, Dr. Mundama Witende, called the urban population of Beni and Butembo, along the border with Uganda, in strict compliance with preventive measures to avoid the contamination. He also forbade the people to consume the meat of primates and move to the neighboring Uganda and the DRC, without good reason.
http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/2012/8/15/virus-ebola-personnes-enregistres-province-orientale-208346.asp

Ebola in Uganda – update MORE MADE UP NUMBERS

Ebola in Uganda – update

14 August 2012 -The Ministry of Health of Uganda (MoH) continues to work with partners including WHO, CDC, Red Cross, MSF, World Vision, PREDICT, among others to control the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Kibaale district. The national and district task forces continue to meet daily to coordinate the response to the outbreak.

To date, 24 probable and confirmed cases including 16 deaths have been reported. 10 cases have been laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. The most recent confirmed case was admitted in Kagadi isolation facility on 4 August 2012.

Suspected cases which tested negative during the laboratory investigations have been discarded as Ebola patients, treated symptomatically for their ailments and discharged following recovery. A total of 43 people have been discharged from the isolation facility including one confirmed case. With the support of the psychosocial team, these 43 people have been counselled prior to discharge and reintegrated into the community. Even...
[link to www.who.int]


so it was 23 and I got about 40 on a list .. and they goback to 16??

Kisoro Patient Under Ebola Monitoring Tests Negative

2012-08-15 10:52:10

Dr Micheal Baganizi, the Kisoro hospital medical superintendent, tells URN that while the tests for Ebola came back negative, the patient was discovered to be suffering from hepatitis.

Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44506#ixzz23cfLrODG

Aru: nursing staff trained in surveillance of Ebola

  | Last Update August 15, 2012 at 1:45 AM |

  The health district of Aru (Eastern Province) forms, from Tuesday 14 to Wednesday, August 15, twenty health workers to monitor infectious diseases including yellow fever, haemorrhagic fever and cholera.
  This two-day training is designed for chief medical officers of health zone, hospital directors, nursing supervisors and supervisors of the health district of Aru.. At the end of it, they can identify time Ebola haemorrhagic fever raging in border areas of Uganda.  http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=fr&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://radiookapi.net/en-bref/2012/08/15/aru-le-personnel-soignant-forme-pour-la-surveillance-de-la-fievre-ebola/&usg=ALkJrhjrSF0offB6D_WxtlFA8Mur6simOQ

Ebola: 3 Lira Hospital Patients Samples Test Negative

2012-08-15 11:26:58
Samples of three patients who were being monitored for the Ebola virus at Lira regional referral hospital have tested negative for the contagious disease. The results were released by the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.

Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44508#ixzz23cczROgk

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO August 10, 2012

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
August 10, 2012

Two health zones of the DRC in the Eastern Province reported suspected cases of VHF. Zone
Health Isiro reported from June 25, 2012 to date six suspected cases and four deaths, case fatality of 66.6%. Personnel health are not affected so far and contact information and followed up are not available.

The Health Zone Dungu reported three suspected cases and one death suspected VHF in the month of August. the
results of the investigation and charges are expected to improve learning of the situation
Warning: Medair also reported cases of bloody diarrhea in the area of Health Bokoyo (90 km north of
Banda) where 69 cases with 12 deaths (17.4%) were reported between June and July 2012. These cases have not been supported? °?? IM two reasons: difficult access to Bokoyo for security reasons and lack of medicines.

[link to reliefweb.int]

Five suspected cases Isiro

Five suspected cases
 Ebola detected
 Isiro

The provincial medical inspector has
 confirmed the detection of five cases
 suspected haemorrhagic fever
 Ebola Isiro in the territory of
 High Uélé. Already, last weekend,
 Minister of Health was
 stepped into the breach to state
 alerts. The virus would thus
 well beyond the borders but
 Department, the emphasis is on an element
 major: the country is not
 faced with an epidemic
 http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/medias/dossiertele/PDF1555KIN.pdf

African Swine Fever Threatens All Europe

08 August 2012

ANALYSIS - The spread of African Swine Fever from the Caucasus to the east coast of the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine presents an alarming and concerning situation, writes Chris Harris.

The latest outbreak, discovered at the end of July and confirmed through PCR tests on samples taken from back yard pigs in the Zaporozhye region, is worrying because it represents not so much a gradual spread of the disease, but a dramatic jump.

The outbreak has occurred 170 kilometres from the Russian border. Until now the disease has been found mainly in the Tver, Ivanovo and Rostov regions to the north of Moscow, Bryansk and Smolensk to the west of Moscow and the Volgograd and Krasnodar regions to the south as well as outbreaks in Georgia.

The furthest the disease had been found outside these regions where it has largely been confined to back yard farms and wild boar populations - although larger pig farms have been infected and have suffered severe losses - has been in the St Petersburg area where the incidence was traced to illegally dumped pig carcases.

The leap across the border is likely to mean that similar illegal transportation of pigs or pig meat products has taken place or that transport has travelled from infected regions without proper biosecurity measures being carried out.

The most concerning aspect of the latest outbreak in Ukraine, where three pigs on a back yard farm dies for the disease and two others were destroyed is that the disease has now spread to another mainland Eastern European country....


And the concern over the present incidence in Ukraine has placed other EU countries on alert.

The German Agriculture Ministry this week warned: "This epidemic in the Russian Federation and other neighbouring states has been rife for a long time and there is a risk that it might be introduced into the European Union. Already a number of measures at national and EU level have been taken to prevent this.

"At the external borders of the EU increased checks are being carried out and contingency plans to combat animal diseases have been adjusted."

Measures that have been taken include the ban on the import of live pigs and pork products from affected countries into the EU.

However the German Agriculture Ministry has warned that the pathogen can be carried on food such as pork, raw sausages and salami if they are brought in from regions that are at risk and the disease can be passed on in food waste and through the wild boar population.

The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection warns "Bring no such food from areas affected with the African swine fever."

Following the Ukraine outbreak a report from Dr Helen Roberts for the UK's Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs also warns that its cause is likely to be the movement of pigs, pig products or vehicles.

"The source of disease is not known but if genetic sequencing is carried out and shows the close relationship with the strains in the Caucasus, that will indicate movement of products in all likelihood either by road or by sea into this area. This latest jump is not entirely surprising, but does raise the issue of controlling imports of animal products and instigating swill feeding bans in backyard premises," Dr Roberts reports.

She adds: "We consider that the risk of introduction by legal trade in susceptible livestock or products is negligible as EU rules prohibit imports of such trade from Ukraine. It is therefore important to uphold the ban on swill feeding, to ensure adequate cleansing and disinfection of vehicles returning from infected regions and safe disposal of catering waste.

"Importing meat or meat products (including ham, salami, sausages and other delicacies) from Ukraine as personal imports is illegal and it is important that this control measure is observed.

"As we have previously stated, countries and regions where certain risk factors, such as a high proportion of backyard pig farms, wild boar contact, suitable vector (Argasid tick) populations or practicing swill feeding are at greater risk than those EU MSs with mainly high biosecurity commercial pig farms (such as the UK). Nevertheless, the persistence and geographic spread of ASF makes it a threat to the whole of the EU and it is imperative that control measures are applied effectively and regular exchange of information and expertise is maintained."  http://www.thepigsite.com/swinenews/30524/african-swine-fever-threatens-all-europe

DRC: 5 suspected cases of Ebola in Orientale Province, not far from Uganda

  Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 24:21

 . Five suspected cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been detected in Isiro, chief town of the district of Haut Uele, in Orientale Province (north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo), reported the Associated Press agency (APA ), received Tuesday in Brussels, quoting medical sources.   http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=fr&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.levif.be/info/actualite/sciences-et-sante/rdc-5-cas-suspects-d-ebola-en-province-orientale-non-loin-de-l-ouganda/article-4000162590879.htm&usg=ALkJrhgV_6PKGUePMIgVfVmcjyS107LJDA

Ebola outbreak in Uganda: DRC strengthens border surveillance

Monday, August 13, 2012
In recent weeks, the epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever is rife in Uganda in the District of Kibari where 60 cases and 16 deaths were already registered. In 60 cases, there are three health professionals including one death.
Because the district Kibari in which the epidemic is raging in the neighboring district of Aru in the DRC, the Congolese authorities to turn this disease do not cross borders. The Ministry of Public Health, a crisis meeting was held on Tuesday bringing together partners including WHO and MSF, the fourth branch of the Ministry of Health responsible for the fight against disease and INRB.During the meeting chaired by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi, the issue was not only to analyze the situation on land but also to develop strategies to strengthen surveillance at borders for this epidemic does not spread in the DRC.
"It is important that we can meet in the crisis committee to evaluate, analyze and take action in relation to the protection of the population. That is why it is important that we hold this meeting epidemiological surveillance at the end of what we have taken a package of measures ..., "said Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi.
To protect the Congolese population that is mostly in border district of Uganda Kibari against this epidemic, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi called the people to be more vigilant. "We want to inform the Congolese population especially that of the province of North Kivu and Eastern Province to increase their level of vigilance against this epidemic that has ravaged Uganda. Especially when people are faced with a fever accompanied by abnormal bleeding and also explained the case of animals found dead in the forest. "
Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi also insisted on strengthening awareness. We decided, he says, to strengthen surveillance measures, awareness and community mobilization at the borders including the axis Beni-Butembo in the province of North Kivu and more at territory Aru, Dungu and Isiro in the eastern province
In addition to educating the community, the Minister of Public Health states that a joint team of Department of Public Health, WHO and MSF has been mobilized to make a descent in these border areas with sampling equipment for suspected cases but also with protective equipment

While stressing that these meetings be held regularly epidemiological surveillance to assess the situation on ground, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi invited the medical staff to use all use universal precautions from now to all fever cases that would result in the hospital. "
The observance of hygiene rules is needed
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a serious disease and short incubation period, it is advised people to observe basic hygiene rules for individual and collective self-preservation. It is advisable to wash hands with soap before preparing food, before eating and after using the latrine; boil water or disinfect with a solution chorea, eat only hot food and goods covered .
It is also advisable not to defecate near water sources, not to organize the funeral of a patient who died of Ebola hemorrhagic fever or touch his body.
Ebola is characterized by headaches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain loss of appetite.
http://www.groupelavenir.cd/spip.php?article46753

North Kivu: the provincial government enacts precautions against Ebola

...The provincial government asked the people of North Kivu to avoid eating meat from chimpanzee, gorilla and other monkeys and any non-visit to Uganda.

[b]This weekend, the deputy director of the Ugandan Minister of Health stated that the hemorrhagic fever was under control. However, the foreign press referred to two new cases of Ebola at the same time.[/b] The epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever is rife in Uganda in the Kibale district where sixty cases including sixteen deaths have been recorded in recent weeks.

Already in the district of Aru in the Eastern Province, Congolese authorities have begun to turn in recent days that the disease does not cross the border, since the district in which Kibari raging epidemic is close to Aru.

Since the end of July, Uganda is facing a new epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever since July. One death was recorded at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. President Museveni had also been broadcast July 30, 2012 an audio message calling his countrymen to be vigilant.

http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/08/13/nord-kivu-le-gouvernement-provincial-edicte-des-mesures-preventives-contre-la-fievre-debola/#.UCpf1ciQ96s.twitter

North Kivu: the provincial government enacts precautions against Ebola

North Kivu: the provincial government enacts precautions against Ebola

 Kinshasa, 14/08/2012 / Health

 . The population of North Kivu is required to observe strict measures to prevent contamination of Ebola haemorrhagic fever reported in Uganda.

 . The provincial Minister of Health, Mutete Mundenga prohibited the population to consume the meat of primates.. They were also asked to avoid travel to the neighboring country to the DRC, without good reason. The provincial Minister of Health has enacted such measures at the end of the provincial council of ministers held Saturday, August 11 in Goma.

The health minister said the epidemic in Uganda is at the door of the province of North Kivu. Mutete . Mutete Mundenga insisted that any case of fever accompanied by hemorrhage apparrait in villages is reported to the health center.
He has released several preventive measures:

 . "Avoid touching blood, fluids or other secretion of diseases suspected of being infected with Ebola.

. Also avoid touching or washing a patient who would be carrying the disease.”. Also avoid touching or washing the bodies of people who allegedly died of Ebola. "

 . The provincial government asked the people of North Kivu to avoid eating meat from chimpanzee, gorilla and other monkeys and any non-visit to Uganda.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalcongo.net%2Farticle%2F85517

Ebola Suspected Case at Kayunga Hospital

 on August 14, 2012

A suspected Ebola case at Kayunga hospital has caused panic among patients ,many of them who heard about the case on Tuesday morning have escaped from the hospital.
The 2 year old baby was admitted with Ebola like similar symptoms which included; vomiting blood, blood oozing out of the nose, ears and mouth and passing out bloody stool.


Health workers, support staff, patients and care takers have vacated the hospital.Doctors have said that the symptoms portrayed by the baby are similar to those of Ebola but they have not yet confirmed whether it is Ebola or not.

Hospital officials said that the baby is to be transferred to Mulago hospital for specialized treatment .
The Ebola fight in Kibaale district where 17 people succumbed to the disease has been successful for far with no death reported in a period of more than a week.Other suspected Ebola cases in Gulu district, Mbarara, Ntungamo were confirmed to be Ebola free.

http://www.ugandapicks.com/2012/08/ebola-suspected-case-at-kayunga-hospital-63485.html

Another Ebola Case Suspected In Jinja

Another case of Ebola has been reported in Jinja, Eastern Uganda on Thursday.

According to an Eye Report by our reader, a one Nyanzi, a baby which was admitted at Jinja Hospital Children’s Unit died on Monday.

“Parents have been refused to take their baby for burial,” Nyanzi told our news desk today morning.

If true, the development could expose the health ministry’s failure to contain the deadly epidemic and also confirm reports that it is spreading to different parts of the country.

However, according to Dr Ruth Jane Aceng, Director General of Health Services at the Health Ministry, there has been no confirmed Ebola for the last ten days in the country.

“The last confirmed case of Ebola was admitted on August 4, 2012 in Kagadi hospital. So far, a total of 43 patients have been discharged from the isolation facility at Kagadi hospital,” she said Tuesday.

Aceng says the total number of patients on admission is 11.

“Of these, two are confirmed cases of Ebola while 9 are suspected cases currently undergoing investigations. The discharged patients have been supported to reintegrate into the communities are being followed by our surveillance teams,” she notes.

“The Ministry of health wishes to inform the public that no confirmed Ebola case has been reported outside Kibaale district. We appeal to the general public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility or call the following hotlines 0781295308, 0750996034,” Aceng concludes.    http://www.chimpreports.com/index.php/people/health/5499-exclusive-another-ebola-case-suspected-in-jinja.html

No Ebola case confirmed in the last ten days

No Ebola case confirmed in the last ten days
Publish Date: Aug 14, 2012

The Ministry of health wishes to update the general public on Ebola outbreak in Kibaale district. The last confirmed case of Ebola was admitted on 4th August 2012 in Kagadi Hospital. There has been no confirmed case of Ebola for 10 days in the Country ..Read full release here

EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - UGANDA (17) (KIBAALAE)

Ebola hemorrhagic fever - Uganda (17): (KI)
Archive Number: 20120813.1241762
EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - UGANDA (17) (KIBAALAE)
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Sun 12 Aug 2012
Source: New Vision (Uganda) [summ., edited]
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634018-how-the-deadly-ebola-came-back.html=

The outbreak of Ebola [fever] in Kibaale district is still shrouded in mystery 52 days after the 1st patient died. A mother left her 2 month old baby sleeping in a mud and wattle hut and went to her crop garden. On return, she found the baby dead. The baby's left palm had the sign of an animal bite. Neighbours who spoke to Sunday Vision suspected that it could have been a monkey, but no one really saw it. About 300 metres [328 yards] away from the family is a 10-acre [4 ha] forest and there are bushes in between, so it would be possible for a monkey or any other small animal to move unnoticed.

A 15 year old girl who touched the baby's wound, became sick 2 days later, and died on 21 Jun 2012. Eventually, 9 members of the family died but the baby's mother did not become sick. Then the baby's father and a paternal uncle fell sick. According to the national Ebola task force, the 15 year old girl was the 1st patient. However, locals insist she got the disease from the baby. Medical theory indicates that an Ebola [fever] outbreak starts when an infected animal, most likely a monkey or a bat, infects a human being. Through direct contact, s/he then infects other people. However, it is not clear how animals become infected and where the virus hides in the environment before infecting animals.

Critics have blamed the Ministry of Health for taking long to diagnose [ebolavirus infection]. By the time the ministry announced it was Ebola [fever] on 24 Jul 2012, the epidemic had gone on for 37 days, killing 14 people including a clinical officer. The ministry, on the other hand, says the outbreak was confusing because it did not show the typical symptoms [that is, little haemorrhage]. Tests have shown that the current epidemic has been caused by a strain of the virus known as Sudan ebolavirus. However, its signs are different from the previously known Sudan ebolavirus outbreaks.

According to a press statement released by the health ministry last week [week of 6 Aug 2012], the number of people contracting [ebolavirus] had reduced significantly due to increased public awareness. No case has been reported outside Kibaale, says the statement signed by Dr Denis Lwamafa on behalf of the director general of Health Services. By Thu 19 Aug 2012, 190 out of the 408 people being observed after coming in contact with Ebola fever patients had been declared free of the disease after they did not become sick within 21 days, the maximum incubation period. The ward had only 3 ebolavirus infected patients, one of whom was recovering.

But the campaign has not been without challenges and, as Dr Mbonye argues, the Kibaale outbreak should be a lesson. "The government should have an emergency fund for epidemics because every time we are faced with outbreaks, the ministry has to run to cabinet and parliament to ask for funds. This consumes a lot of time as people are dying. At least funds should be earmarked for epidemics annually," said Mbonye. Nearly half the budget for the campaign against [the current ebolavirus outbreak] has come from donors, and officials argue it is disastrous to depend on donors for epidemic responses.

According to Dr Anthony Mbonye, the commissioner for health service and head of community health, it is unusual for an Ebola [fever] patient to bleed after, rather than before death as was the case in Kibaale. The patients had high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach aches. Most of them were not bleeding until after death. It was initially mistaken for malaria.

Mbonye says the health ministry is preparing to conduct ecological studies in the area to investigate the cause of the outbreak. It might involve catching monkey, rodents, bats, and other wild animals and testing them for the virus. But we have never understood the exact animal reservoir. In Luweero we slaughtered monkeys and birds in pursuit of the cause but the results were negative," says Mbonye. "What we know is that ebolavirus is highly infectious. If an infected monkey, for instance, ate part of a fruit, you don't need to eat it to catch the virus; you can get infected if you touch it and don't disinfect your hands."

Although the current outbreak is small, it has a big impact on the economy. Already the tourism sector has begun feeling the pinch as some tourists cancel trips for fear of catching the deadly contagious virus.

[byline: Francis Kagolo, Ismael Kasooha]

-- communicated by: ProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall

[At this time ProMED-mail has seen no independent information to verify this account of the early events in the outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus infection in Kibaale.

Kibaale District is a district in Western Uganda. It is named after its principal town where the district headquarters are located. Kibaale can be located on the map of the districts of Uganda at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Uganda. A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/2Xz8. - Mod.CP]

DRC: Alert Ebola outbreak- Tests are negative so far

Monday, August 13, 2012Last update: 3:53 p.m. GMT
DRC: Alert Ebola outbreak
Kesseng by Rachel - 13/08/2012
Five suspected cases of the deadly hemorrhagic fever were reported in Eastern Province

The Ebola virus is back in the DRC. According to the provincial medical inspector of the Eastern Province Five suspected cases of haemorrhagic fever caused by Ebola virus said, were detected in Isiro, chief town of the district of Haut Uele in Orientale Province in north-eastern DRC. Another case, whose death ensued, was notified in Dungu, one of six areas that make up the district of Haut Uele. We are awaiting test results to diagnose the virus as it always.

http://journaldekin.com/article.php?aid=1288

Ban on public gatherings in Kibaale District continues

Gatherings such as these could pread Ebola. Contact with a person with Ebola spreads the virus
Ultimate Media
Public gatherings continue to be banned in Kibaale district despite significant progress made in handling the Ebola disease.
Kibaale district woman Member of Parliament Robinnah Nabbanja says local leaders continue to disseminate warnings against public gatherings because the country has not yet been declared Ebola free.
She says although there has been some remarkable achievement in the fight against Ebola with only 3 confirmed cases under treatment, chances of reporting new cases due to gatherings are still very high.
Nabanja attributes the success to the fast response and vigilance of the different government bodies and aid agencies like the Uganda Red Cross Society.
The disease has so far killed over 16 people and over 100 persons who got in contact with Ebola patients are still being monitored.
However businessmen are not happy with the continued ban on markets and weddings saying that they have failed to meet loan obligations due such bans. They have now threatened to demonstrate against the ban.  http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/ban-on-public-gatherings-in-kibaale-district-continues/26726.aspx

IDI donates protective gear for lower health facilities in Kibaale

20120813 11:53:53 AM EST

The Infectious Disease Institute has donated medical equipment worth 25 million to Kibaale district to prepare lower level health facilitates for Ebola Response.
The Items include protective gear, disinfectants, cleaning materials and drugs.
According to the Executive Director of the Institute, Dr Alex Cotinho the donation is to benefit at least 53 health centers 4, 3 and 2 s in the district.
Dr. Cotinho adds that the equipment will assist in handling the highly contagious disease at community level before suspected cases are referred to Kagadi hospital.
The highly infectious disease presents with high grade fever and bleeding, head headache vomiting abdominal pain and kills within just a short time.  http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/idi-donates-protective-gear-for-lower-health-facilities-in-kibaale/26743.aspx