should say 12 deaths
A total of 24 cases and 11 deaths were reported from Isiro, Viadana and Dungu districts of Orientale Province
Event description
As of 28 August 2012, a total of 24 (12 suspected, 6 probable and 6 confirmed) cases and 11 deaths had been reported in Province Orientale.
The reported cases and deaths (suspected, probable and confirmed) have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 17 cases and 9 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 6 cases and 2 deaths in Viadana; and 1 fatal case in Dungu. One alert was received from Gombari health zone, yet to be verified. http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/dpc/epidemic-a-pandemic-alert-and-response/outbreak-news/3673-dr-congo-ebola-situation-as-of-28-august-2012.html
Surveillance and Response Programme Area, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, Regional Office for Africa
Email: outbreak@afro.who.int
As of 28 August 2012, a total of 24 (12 suspected, 6 probable and 6 confirmed) cases and 11 deaths had been reported in Province Orientale.
The reported cases and deaths (suspected, probable and confirmed) have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 17 cases and 9 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 6 cases and 2 deaths in Viadana; and 1 fatal case in Dungu. One alert was received from Gombari health zone, yet to be verified.
There were 7 cases admitted in the isolation ward.
CDC has established a field laboratory in Isiro. Fourteen samples were tested in the la-boratory including 8 samples from contacts of probable/confirmed cases for retrospective investigation.
A total of 6 patients have been confirmed positive for Ebola. All positive cases are from Isiro; none of the suspected cases from Dungu and Pawa tested positive for Ebola.
To date 68 contacts have been identified and are being followed up;
Event description
Geographic distribution of Ebola in DR Congo
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, field epidemiology, laboratory, case management, outbreak logistics, public information and social mobilization.
Twenty- two (22) health workers were trained on Ebola case management including infec-tion prevention and control; Discharge kits were prepared for the discharged patients; A daily situation report and the first epidemiological bulletin were produced on 28 August 2012. CDC laboratory team started conducting Ebola tests in the field laboratory in Isiro. MSF Suisse is actively involved in case management. A second WHO logistician arrived in Isiro to continue to support outbreak response. A teleconference was held on 28 August 2012 between AFRO and HQ; Deployment of anthropologist and additional epidemiologist in being finalized in collaboration with GOARN. DR Congo: Ebola (Situation as of 28 August 2012) (411.19 kB)
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Thursday, August 30, 2012
Searching for Animal Disease Transmission
Last updated on: August 29, 2012 11:10 AM
Researchers are not waiting for the next new disease to emerge. They’re studying our near and distant primate relatives to try to prevent future epidemics.
HIV/AIDS is a well-known zoonotic disease, an illness transmitted from animals to humans. The disease – linked to African primates - has killed tens of millions and more than 30 million people are now living with the disease.
Dr. Natalie Cooper said there may be many more diseases ready to jump from animals to humans. The Trinity College Dublin assistant professor and her colleagues are focusing their research on primates.
“Investigating diseases in primates gives us a really good model of the kinds of diseases which we might expect to see in humans. Because things which are common in these primate populations are also the kind of things which end up getting passed into human populations eventually, or they’re the kind of things that we already share with primates,” she said.
There are a number of things that need to happen before an animal disease spreads among humans.
“First of all you have to contact that disease somehow. So maybe you bump into an animal that sneezes on you for example. And that’s got to happen first. But then there’s a lot of stuff that happens within the human body. So that disease then has to get through your immune system. It has to get into your cells and actually start causing some disease symptoms. And so it’s much easier for these diseases, if they’re kind of adapted to this primate model system, to come into another primate, a human,” she said.
Researchers expected to find that humans would share diseases with primates with whom they’re mostly closely related. Cooper says immune systems are likely to be similar in primates that share a common ancestor.
“It wasn’t that long ago that humans and chimpanzees had this common ancestor. So we expect that we have these similar traits in our biology, which might make it easy for us to catch the same kinds of diseases. So we were expecting – and all the previous research has suggested – that we’d share more with our very close relatives, the great apes. So this would be gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans than we would with other species of primates,” she said.
Researchers did in fact confirm that we do share many diseases with the great apes. But Cooper said they they also found something unexpected.
“What’s more surprising is that things like old world monkeys and lemurs even – so lemurs are the very primitive kinds of monkeys that you find on Madagascar – we share an ancestor with them something like a hundred million years ago, [a]really, really long time ago. So we really weren’t expecting to see that much sharing there,” she said.
So the span of a hundred million years since we had a common ancestor does not necessarily protect us from catching a virus from a lemur. By the way, we also share diseases with macaques and baboons.
Cooper said there are massive gaps in knowledge about various species of monkey. She said once those gaps are filled, scientists can determine how much of a risk monkey diseases pose to humans. That could lead to vaccines to prevent outbreaks and epidemics.
“It’s a hugely daunting task, and obviously primates are only just the first step here. So there are other kinds of animals, which we actually end up having a lot more contact with. So domesticated animals, cats and dogs in particular - and then things like rats and mice, which we have a lot of contact with in domestic situations. And we think that these species are very, very likely to transfer diseases across to us,” she said.
As the global population grows, people are spreading into new areas. As they do, Cooper said, they’re encountering new species of animals and possibly new diseases as well. http://www.voanews.com/content/primates-diseases-29aug12/1497870.html
HIV/AIDS is a well-known zoonotic disease, an illness transmitted from animals to humans. The disease – linked to African primates - has killed tens of millions and more than 30 million people are now living with the disease.
Dr. Natalie Cooper said there may be many more diseases ready to jump from animals to humans. The Trinity College Dublin assistant professor and her colleagues are focusing their research on primates.
“Investigating diseases in primates gives us a really good model of the kinds of diseases which we might expect to see in humans. Because things which are common in these primate populations are also the kind of things which end up getting passed into human populations eventually, or they’re the kind of things that we already share with primates,” she said.
There are a number of things that need to happen before an animal disease spreads among humans.
“First of all you have to contact that disease somehow. So maybe you bump into an animal that sneezes on you for example. And that’s got to happen first. But then there’s a lot of stuff that happens within the human body. So that disease then has to get through your immune system. It has to get into your cells and actually start causing some disease symptoms. And so it’s much easier for these diseases, if they’re kind of adapted to this primate model system, to come into another primate, a human,” she said.
Researchers expected to find that humans would share diseases with primates with whom they’re mostly closely related. Cooper says immune systems are likely to be similar in primates that share a common ancestor.
“It wasn’t that long ago that humans and chimpanzees had this common ancestor. So we expect that we have these similar traits in our biology, which might make it easy for us to catch the same kinds of diseases. So we were expecting – and all the previous research has suggested – that we’d share more with our very close relatives, the great apes. So this would be gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans than we would with other species of primates,” she said.
Researchers did in fact confirm that we do share many diseases with the great apes. But Cooper said they they also found something unexpected.
“What’s more surprising is that things like old world monkeys and lemurs even – so lemurs are the very primitive kinds of monkeys that you find on Madagascar – we share an ancestor with them something like a hundred million years ago, [a]really, really long time ago. So we really weren’t expecting to see that much sharing there,” she said.
So the span of a hundred million years since we had a common ancestor does not necessarily protect us from catching a virus from a lemur. By the way, we also share diseases with macaques and baboons.
Cooper said there are massive gaps in knowledge about various species of monkey. She said once those gaps are filled, scientists can determine how much of a risk monkey diseases pose to humans. That could lead to vaccines to prevent outbreaks and epidemics.
“It’s a hugely daunting task, and obviously primates are only just the first step here. So there are other kinds of animals, which we actually end up having a lot more contact with. So domesticated animals, cats and dogs in particular - and then things like rats and mice, which we have a lot of contact with in domestic situations. And we think that these species are very, very likely to transfer diseases across to us,” she said.
As the global population grows, people are spreading into new areas. As they do, Cooper said, they’re encountering new species of animals and possibly new diseases as well. http://www.voanews.com/content/primates-diseases-29aug12/1497870.html
Creation of a committee to fight against the epidemic of haemorrhagic fever Ebola in DRC
Creation of a committee to fight against the epidemic of haemorrhagic fever Ebola in DRCKinshasa, 29/08 (ACP)
. - A coordination committee of the fight against the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever officially declared in the DRC since August 17 is created under a decree of the Minister of Public Health 23 August 2012.
The committee, according to a decree issued policy guidelines and administrative and ensure social mobilization and resource information to the population, especially those affected by the epidemic, the evolution of the latter as well as stock control companies.
The coordination committee, chaired by the Minister of Public Health, is composed of six commissions, namely commissions support cases, epidemiological surveillance, education, health and sanitation, making psychosocial care as well as research and laboratory. Regarding these commissions, that care cases is responsible for reducing the risk of contamination of the community, caregivers isolating the sick and the proper use of protective equipment and the implementation of measures universal protection, while ensuring the monitoring of patients.
The epidemiological surveillance is responsible for identifying cases at home and its surroundings in order to transfer to the medical center, inform and raise awareness about the disease and its prevention, by training health personnel epidemiological surveillance, coordinating monitoring in the area of health and maintain a register of rumors and its verification.
The Committee has the obligation of awareness training sensitizers, identify channels of awareness, information on the measures to prevent, prepare the population to accept the control measures recommended by the International Committee of fight against the epidemic .
The hygiene and sanitation as filler to improve working conditions for health workers and the public (waste disposal, decontamination and disinfection of premises), to limit or reduce the risk of contamination of the population by handling of sick or excreta of patients, develop the isolation wards, to ensure disinfection of places, and objects contaminated protective clothing as well as the collection and burial of corpses.
As for the commission of psychosocial care, its tasks are to identify the affected families, families of victims and secure their neighbors disinfection of inhabitants, to supply food to affected families, to facilitate their reintegration and make support socio-orphan school. ACP/FNG/Kayu/Kul http://www.acpcongo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11464:creation-dun-comite-de-lutte-contre-lepidemie-de-fievre-hemorragique-a-virus-ebola-en-rdc&catid=41:sante&Itemid=62
. - A coordination committee of the fight against the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever officially declared in the DRC since August 17 is created under a decree of the Minister of Public Health 23 August 2012.
The committee, according to a decree issued policy guidelines and administrative and ensure social mobilization and resource information to the population, especially those affected by the epidemic, the evolution of the latter as well as stock control companies.
The coordination committee, chaired by the Minister of Public Health, is composed of six commissions, namely commissions support cases, epidemiological surveillance, education, health and sanitation, making psychosocial care as well as research and laboratory. Regarding these commissions, that care cases is responsible for reducing the risk of contamination of the community, caregivers isolating the sick and the proper use of protective equipment and the implementation of measures universal protection, while ensuring the monitoring of patients.
The epidemiological surveillance is responsible for identifying cases at home and its surroundings in order to transfer to the medical center, inform and raise awareness about the disease and its prevention, by training health personnel epidemiological surveillance, coordinating monitoring in the area of health and maintain a register of rumors and its verification.
The Committee has the obligation of awareness training sensitizers, identify channels of awareness, information on the measures to prevent, prepare the population to accept the control measures recommended by the International Committee of fight against the epidemic .
The hygiene and sanitation as filler to improve working conditions for health workers and the public (waste disposal, decontamination and disinfection of premises), to limit or reduce the risk of contamination of the population by handling of sick or excreta of patients, develop the isolation wards, to ensure disinfection of places, and objects contaminated protective clothing as well as the collection and burial of corpses.
As for the commission of psychosocial care, its tasks are to identify the affected families, families of victims and secure their neighbors disinfection of inhabitants, to supply food to affected families, to facilitate their reintegration and make support socio-orphan school. ACP/FNG/Kayu/Kul http://www.acpcongo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11464:creation-dun-comite-de-lutte-contre-lepidemie-de-fievre-hemorragique-a-virus-ebola-en-rdc&catid=41:sante&Itemid=62
Monitoring anti Ebola strengthened border Uganda-Congo
Monitoring anti Ebola strengthened border Uganda-Congo
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 4:45 p.m.
The government is working to limit the spread of the Ebola virus. The Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange is flying a delicate operation to eradicate Ebola hemorrhagic fever raging in Eastern Province, specifically in the area of Dungu and in the town of Isiro.
With the help of partners from WHO, UNICEF, MSF and CIBSI to give the state and the health situation prevailing in the Eastern Province specifically in the town of Dungu and Isiro. Immediately warned the Minister of Health has sent a small team of experts in the field to examine patients and confirm the reappearance of this virus in Congo. After the samples taken from patients, six of them were examined and two are being analyzed, both found in Dungu were negative. The provisional toll reported some deaths. A Isiro, eight cases were identified, including three deaths and forty-four cases are about to be examined, Viadana where there were three deaths and 32 cases of targeted contacts...
http://7sur7.cd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36318:surveillance-anti-ebola-renforcee-a-la-frontiere-ougando-congolaise-&catid=6:congonews
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 4:45 p.m.
The government is working to limit the spread of the Ebola virus. The Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange is flying a delicate operation to eradicate Ebola hemorrhagic fever raging in Eastern Province, specifically in the area of Dungu and in the town of Isiro.
With the help of partners from WHO, UNICEF, MSF and CIBSI to give the state and the health situation prevailing in the Eastern Province specifically in the town of Dungu and Isiro. Immediately warned the Minister of Health has sent a small team of experts in the field to examine patients and confirm the reappearance of this virus in Congo. After the samples taken from patients, six of them were examined and two are being analyzed, both found in Dungu were negative. The provisional toll reported some deaths. A Isiro, eight cases were identified, including three deaths and forty-four cases are about to be examined, Viadana where there were three deaths and 32 cases of targeted contacts...
http://7sur7.cd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36318:surveillance-anti-ebola-renforcee-a-la-frontiere-ougando-congolaise-&catid=6:congonews
South Kivu: an unknown disease decimated 100 pigs a week in Sange
August 30, 2012
An unknown disease decimated the pig in the city of Sange, over 100 km south of Bukavu. . Local farmers who announced the new claim that this is the last week that the animals die from the disease.
A pig infected with this disease is high fever. . His spleen swells, according to farmers.
The charge of agriculture and livestock Sange confirmed this disease swine, announcing the imminent arrival of specialists to collect samples for examination in the laboratory.
This situation leads to a decrease in the consumption of pork, in spite of the fuck its price on the local market, said a butcher.
Due to lack of vaccines, pigs are often victims of diseases unknown in this city.
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://radiookapi.net/en-bref/2012/08/29/sud-kivu-une-maladie-inconnue-decime-100-porcs-en-semaine-sange/&usg=ALkJrhiWCvY4S65Ypkm52Ng3IQ87z-tgzg
Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola outbreak - DREF Operation No. (MDRCD011)
Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola outbreak - DREF Operation No. (MDRCD011)
CHF 262,914 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to some 830,000 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: An Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic is currently ravaging the Haut-Uele District in Oriental Province situated along the Uganda border. Isiro, capital of the district and Dungu, one of the towns in the district are the most affected localities.
As of August 22, 2012, a total of 16 cases including 10 deaths and 97 contact persons who are under surveillance were recorded in these two health districts (Source: interagency meeting from 22 August 2012 to the Ministry of health in Kinshasa). The near inaccessible nature of the area, coupled with the insecurity that is currently prevailing there, the scarcity of internal flights, and especially the dilapidated nature of existing health infrastructure are all factors that can lead to a worsening of the current situation.
The DRC Red Cross has supported the government of DRC in response to earlier hemorrhagic fever epidemics and has deployed volunteers in the affected areas. The DRC Red Cross now needs to scale up their activities in order to minimize the spread and impact or the epidemic. The current planned operation includes sensitization campaigns in affected districts, psycho-social support to affected and exposed persons and support to the government safe transport of patients, safe disposal of dead bodies and disinfection of suspected infected houses and items.
An Ebola epidemic was recently reported in Uganda, but tests have confirmed that this outbreak is of a different strain, and therefore this outbreak is not related to cross-border migration.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by November 2012; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by February 2013). http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/democratic-republic-congo-ebola-outbreak-dref-operation-no-mdrcd011 http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MDRCD011.pdf
Summary: An Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic is currently ravaging the Haut-Uele District in Oriental Province situated along the Uganda border. Isiro, capital of the district and Dungu, one of the towns in the district are the most affected localities.
As of August 22, 2012, a total of 16 cases including 10 deaths and 97 contact persons who are under surveillance were recorded in these two health districts (Source: interagency meeting from 22 August 2012 to the Ministry of health in Kinshasa). The near inaccessible nature of the area, coupled with the insecurity that is currently prevailing there, the scarcity of internal flights, and especially the dilapidated nature of existing health infrastructure are all factors that can lead to a worsening of the current situation.
The DRC Red Cross has supported the government of DRC in response to earlier hemorrhagic fever epidemics and has deployed volunteers in the affected areas. The DRC Red Cross now needs to scale up their activities in order to minimize the spread and impact or the epidemic. The current planned operation includes sensitization campaigns in affected districts, psycho-social support to affected and exposed persons and support to the government safe transport of patients, safe disposal of dead bodies and disinfection of suspected infected houses and items.
An Ebola epidemic was recently reported in Uganda, but tests have confirmed that this outbreak is of a different strain, and therefore this outbreak is not related to cross-border migration.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by November 2012; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by February 2013). http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/democratic-republic-congo-ebola-outbreak-dref-operation-no-mdrcd011 http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MDRCD011.pdf
Alarming levels of drug-resistant TB found worldwide
- Kate Kelland
Thursday, August 30,
2012 17:0 hrs IST
Scientists have found an alarming number of cases of the lung disease
tuberculosis in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America that are resistant to up
to four powerful antibiotic drugs.
In a large international study published in the Lancet medical journal on Thursday, researchers found rates of both multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) were higher than previously thought and were threatening global efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
"Most international recommendations for TB control have been developed for MDR-TB prevalence of up to around 5 percent. Yet now we face prevalence up to 10 times higher in some places, where almost half of the patients ... are transmitting MDR strains," Sven Hoffner of the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control, said in a commentary on the study.
TB is already a worldwide pandemic that infected 8.8 million people and killed 1.4 million in 2010.
Drug-resistant TB is more difficult and costly than normal TB to treat, and is more often fatal.
MDR-TB is resistant to at least two first-line drugs - isoniazid and rifampicin - while XDR-TB... http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.DLL/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&channelId=-1073753405&programId=1080132918&contentId=12314936&tabId=1
In a large international study published in the Lancet medical journal on Thursday, researchers found rates of both multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) were higher than previously thought and were threatening global efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
"Most international recommendations for TB control have been developed for MDR-TB prevalence of up to around 5 percent. Yet now we face prevalence up to 10 times higher in some places, where almost half of the patients ... are transmitting MDR strains," Sven Hoffner of the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control, said in a commentary on the study.
TB is already a worldwide pandemic that infected 8.8 million people and killed 1.4 million in 2010.
Drug-resistant TB is more difficult and costly than normal TB to treat, and is more often fatal.
MDR-TB is resistant to at least two first-line drugs - isoniazid and rifampicin - while XDR-TB... http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.DLL/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&channelId=-1073753405&programId=1080132918&contentId=12314936&tabId=1
Ebola: Kibaale public gatherings ban lifted
Publish Date: Aug 30, 2012
The national Ebola task force has lifted a ban that had been slapped on all public gatherings in Kibaale district.
“We have deemed it necessary to allow public gatherings (in places) such as markets, schools and any other social gatherings to open up because the Ebola epidemic is now contained,” Dr. Jackson Amony, the national coordinator of the Ebola task force said.
All public gatherings had been banned following the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic that was declared on July 28.
Amony said that the epidemic is now in the low risk period and the public can now go on with their normal business but with caution...
[link to www.newvision.co.ug]
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Haut-Uele surrounded
Isiro, 28/08 (ACP). - Work on site qu'abattent stakeholders in the fight against the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever raging in Orientale Province, specifically in the district of Haut-Uele helped identify quickly the epidemic, according to the Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi. The latter, while staying in Isiro, chief town of the district, for the supervision of activities related to the fight, congratulated the players. Kabange Minister, accompanied by a team of health experts, said the efforts of the central government is rolling out to partners to curb the epidemic in this district. The epidemic officially declared on August 17, was until the beginning of last weekend killed 11 people in Haut-Uele, where we also recorded 20 suspected cases, particularly in the areas of health Isiro of Wamba, Viadana, of Pawa and Dungu.
The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo stabilized
The Minister of Health, Kabange Numbi stays Isiro, along with a team of health experts in the context of strengthening the fight against Ebola epidemic in this part of the DRC.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afriquejet.com%2Fsante-fievre-2012082943775.html
Woman Steals Baby from Mulago ,Hides it in Ebola Unit
August 29, 2012By Ahura Mujuni Mark
There was drama and agony in Mulago referal hospital on Monday when a woman stole a newly born baby from an ailing mother and hid with it in an Ebola isolation facility.
Ms Safina Birabwa lost her baby shortly after delivering .The suspect who hails from Kasubi, Rubaga Division in Kampala reportedly came near her bed and carried her baby ,she then sneaked out of the room leaving her small bag which acted as her scapegoat with Birabwa.
After realizing that the suspect was missing with her child ,Birabwa called her husband that her child had been stolen .She later fainted and police began the search for the suspect .fainted
Assistant Inspector of Mulago Police Station, Mr Richard Okello, said he received information and dispatched policemen to major entrances of the hospital to check all women leaving the hospital with babies and whether they had discharge forms or not.
“The suspect was found hiding at the Ebola Isolation Unit with the baby.” He said
Police also found her with a delivery from Itojo hospital and it confirmed that she was in labour on August 24.This forced police to subject the two women to DNA test.It was later confirmed that Birabwa was the mother of the Baby. http://www.ugandapicks.com/2012/08/woman-steals-baby-from-mulago-hides-it-in-ebola-unit-68681.html
There was drama and agony in Mulago referal hospital on Monday when a woman stole a newly born baby from an ailing mother and hid with it in an Ebola isolation facility.
Ms Safina Birabwa lost her baby shortly after delivering .The suspect who hails from Kasubi, Rubaga Division in Kampala reportedly came near her bed and carried her baby ,she then sneaked out of the room leaving her small bag which acted as her scapegoat with Birabwa.
After realizing that the suspect was missing with her child ,Birabwa called her husband that her child had been stolen .She later fainted and police began the search for the suspect .fainted
Assistant Inspector of Mulago Police Station, Mr Richard Okello, said he received information and dispatched policemen to major entrances of the hospital to check all women leaving the hospital with babies and whether they had discharge forms or not.
“The suspect was found hiding at the Ebola Isolation Unit with the baby.” He said
Police also found her with a delivery from Itojo hospital and it confirmed that she was in labour on August 24.This forced police to subject the two women to DNA test.It was later confirmed that Birabwa was the mother of the Baby. http://www.ugandapicks.com/2012/08/woman-steals-baby-from-mulago-hides-it-in-ebola-unit-68681.html
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Ebola: Prisons to Lift Ban on Visits
Uganda Prisons authorities will this week assess whether to allow public visits to selected prison facilities following a month-long ban over Ebola outbreak.
Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44925#ixzz24pmTOR22
Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44925#ixzz24pmTOR22
Medical workers start count to declare Kibaale Ebola-free
A health officer from World Health Organisation ready to spray the premises at Kagadi Hospital recently. More than 60 patients with Ebola-like symptoms have sought medical attention at the hospital. PHOTO by RONALD TUMUSIIME
The last confirmed cases were discharged on Friday while a man who reportedly entered into an isolation ward at Kagadi Hospital and stole a phone from an Ebola patient was also discharged.
Kibaale
Medical officials in Kibaale at the weekend began counting 21 days within which the district will be declared Ebola-free if they do not register any new cases.
The district health officer, Dr Dan Kyamanywa, said the counting started after all suspected and confirmed Ebola patients were discharged from Kagadi Hospital.
Also discharged was a 40-year-old resident of Kyakabugahya Village in Kagadi Town Council who reportedly stealthily entered into an isolation ward at Kagadi hospital and stole a phone from one of the Ebola patients who succumbed to the disease.
He developed Ebola-like symptoms after he started using the phone which an Ebola patient had used.
“He tested negative, received medication and has been discharged,” Dr Kyamanywa said. He may have survived the highly contagious disease but he is not yet off the criminal hook.
“He tested negative, received medication and has been discharged,” Dr Kyamanywa said. He may have survived the highly contagious disease but he is not yet off the criminal hook.
The district police commander, Mr John Ojokuna Elatu, said detectives are following him up over theft charges. “The file was opened at Kagadi Police and it is active,” Mr Ojokuna said.
This newspaper had by press time confirmed that the suspect had not been arrested by police.
The district health officer said medical officials are conducting surveillance in villages to detect any new cases.The tension that had gripped the district following the confirmation of Ebola outbreak has subsided.
The district health officer said medical officials are conducting surveillance in villages to detect any new cases.The tension that had gripped the district following the confirmation of Ebola outbreak has subsided.
The disease is a haemorrhagic fever and its incubation period is 21 days. Some of the signs and symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache,measles-like rash, red eyes and bleeding from body openings. http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Medical+workers+start+count++to+declare+Kibaale+Ebola+free/-/688334/1488356/-/92gk79/-/index.html
4 districts in Quang Ngai bird flu outbreak 50,000 dead birds
Veterinary Authority 4 (Da Nang) has announced the results of the sample household poultry White Tan Son Tinh district Sanh positive for influenza A/H5N1 virus. This is the fourth district in Quang Ngai bird flu occurred.
In the past two weeks, avian influenza occurred in 17 villages, 16 villages in four districts: the self-righteous, Nghia Hanh Son and Son Tinh left nearly 50,000 dead birds and destruction.
Nguyen Van Thuan, Deputy Animal Health Quang Ngai said: "From day 13/8 far, the Department has sent a total of 75 samples of poultry to regional veterinary Agency 4 tests. Results for all were positive for influenza A/H5N1 virus. avian flu is spreading rapidly, there is no sign to stop. "
http://vnexpress.net/gl/xa-hoi/2012/08/4-huyen-o-quang-ngai-bung-phat-dich-cum-gia-cam/
A/H5N1 flu spreads fast in Quang Ngai
Tuoitrenews
Updated : Tue, August 28, 2012,2:32 PM (GMT+0700)
Updated : Tue, August 28, 2012,2:32 PM (GMT+0700)
A/H5N1 avian flu has spread to at least four districts in central Quang Ngai Province over the past two weeks, with nearly 43,000 affected ducks having died or been culled, prompting authorities to vaccinate all flocks of poultry in the province.
Yesterday, deputy head of the provincial Veterinary Sub-department Nguyen Van Thuan said the latest outbreak of the disease was recorded in Tinh Ha Commune, Son Tinh District, with ducks dying en masse.
Besides Son Tinh, three other districts Nghia Hanh, Tu Nghia and Binh Son, have also suffered from the avian flu with 22 areas affected, authorities reported.
The agency has sent 75 samples of the dead poultry to Da Nang for testing since August 13, and results have shown that all the samples were infected with the deadly A/H5N1 virus, Thuan said.
“The avian flu is spreading rapidly and no signs show it can be halted,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has granted 1 million doses of vaccines against A/H5N1 virus to Quang Ngai to vaccinate every flock of poultry in Quang Ngai city and six districts of the province.
They also sprayed antiseptics in affected areas and those vulnerable to the disease to constrain the spread of the epidemic.
For fear that the disease could spread to Quang Ngai’s neighboring localities, the Quang Nam veterinary sub-department has set up a hot line at mobile phone number 0903548515 to receive information about the epidemic’s development. http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/society/a-h5n1-flu-spreads-fast-in-quang-ngai-1.84563
Yesterday, deputy head of the provincial Veterinary Sub-department Nguyen Van Thuan said the latest outbreak of the disease was recorded in Tinh Ha Commune, Son Tinh District, with ducks dying en masse.
Besides Son Tinh, three other districts Nghia Hanh, Tu Nghia and Binh Son, have also suffered from the avian flu with 22 areas affected, authorities reported.
The agency has sent 75 samples of the dead poultry to Da Nang for testing since August 13, and results have shown that all the samples were infected with the deadly A/H5N1 virus, Thuan said.
“The avian flu is spreading rapidly and no signs show it can be halted,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has granted 1 million doses of vaccines against A/H5N1 virus to Quang Ngai to vaccinate every flock of poultry in Quang Ngai city and six districts of the province.
A veterinary officer in Quang Ngai sprays antisetic at a duck farm to prevent the spread of the A/H5N1 virus (Photo: VnExpress)
Provincial veterinary officers are coordinating with authorities to tighten control over poultry slaughtering, transportation and trade to detect affected animals.They also sprayed antiseptics in affected areas and those vulnerable to the disease to constrain the spread of the epidemic.
For fear that the disease could spread to Quang Ngai’s neighboring localities, the Quang Nam veterinary sub-department has set up a hot line at mobile phone number 0903548515 to receive information about the epidemic’s development. http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/society/a-h5n1-flu-spreads-fast-in-quang-ngai-1.84563
Monday, August 27, 2012
DRC: back to school maintained in the areas affected by Ebola Orientale Province
| Last update August 27, 2012 at 12:50
The government has announced the continuation of the school year to 3 September in areas affected by Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Eastern Province. According to the Minister of Health, on a working visit to Isiro, scientists ensure that the epidemic is in its downward and there have been no new cases since four days. Felix Kabange Numbi wants to reassure worried parents who do not send their children to school.
"First, the WHO has never prohibited the movement of people and goods in areas Ebola epidemic. Second, since the beginning of the epidemic, no action has been taken to confine children in their homes or in their plots, "he said.
The Minister of Health also announced the first day of school, organizing a day of awareness about modes of transmission and means of protection of children against Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
Felix Kabange Numbi also invited the coordination of schools to organize awareness days in the same direction with the national association of parents, then with the prefects and teachers.
Before leaving Isiro, the Minister of Health officially handed over drugs and other protective equipment and sampling for health zones of Isiro, Dungu, Pawa, Viadana, Wamba and Gombari.
Since August 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified fifteen patients Ebola in DRC, ten died http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/08/27/rdc-rentree-scolaire-maintenue-dans-les-zones-touchees-par-la-fievre-debola-en-province-orientale/
"Strangers" like HIV / AIDS appeared in Vietnam
Monday, 27/08/2012 - 15:17
In Vietnam appeared patients suffering from "immune" diseases such as AIDS, but not by the HIV virus.
In Vietnam appeared patients suffering from "immune" diseases such as AIDS, but not by the HIV virus. 
Susceptible to disease for the strange disease have antibodies against interferon-gamma in the body. (Ảnh CNN) (Photo by CNN)
INFLUENZA (77): (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) A(H3N20V
Date: Fri 24 Aug 2012
Source: The Vancouver Sun, via The Canadian Press [edited] http://www.vancouversun.com/health/More+swine+spotted/7142523/story.html
More swine flu spotted in the U.S. -- 3 cases involved person-to-person spread -------------------------------------------------------------------
Public health officials in the United States are reporting more human cases of swine flu, including three infections where the virus likely passed from person to person. Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta say an additional 52 cases have been spotted, bringing the count since July to 276 human infections.
Those cases have been recorded in 10 states; so far no infections with this virus have been seen outside the United States. The vast majority of the cases have been in young children who had contact with pigs; many of the infections seem to have taken place at state and county fairs. But the CDC says it now knows of three recent cases where a person was likely infected by another person, not a pig. Still, the agency's experts say there is no need at this time to call for a closure of the swine exhibits at fairs.
Earlier this week Michael Osterholm, a flu expert from the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, said the pig barns should be closed to minimize the risk of future spread of the virus. The virus is a swine H3N2, a distant cousin of the human H3N2 viruses. The human virus entered the pig population in the late 1990s and has circulated among swine ever since.
This particular H3N2 is identified as H3N2v, with the "v" being short for variant. Nancy Cox, who heads the CDC's Influenza Division, said Friday that the agency and its partners are weighing a lot of factors as they monitor the situation. For now, they feel the risk doesn't warrant closing the barns. "When you're looking at shutting down all of this activity where there may not be a problem, you know you are trying to balance many, many things," Cox said in an interview. "If we saw that there were really high numbers of cases or we saw that there was an increase in severity or an increase in transmission ... there could be a lot of different kinds of signals that would change what we recommended."
To date most of the illnesses triggered by the virus have been mild. There have been 13 people hospitalized with H3N2v infections, but no deaths. One of the signals officials are watching for is spread of the virus among people. But they aren't looking for just one generation of spread -- a sick child infects a family member, but the chain of transmission ends there. They are looking for sustained spread. "The presence of human-to-human spread is interesting. The presence of community transmission, several generations for instance of community spread is critical," said Dr. Joe Bresee, chief of influenza epidemiology and prevention at the CDC.
Bresee wouldn't say in which states the cases of human spread were spotted. It's up to individual states to release that information, he said. But he did say these three cases don't come as a surprise. "We expected that. And we've been looking hard for it and to find it, because we know that this virus at least has that potential to spread in a very limited way between people." In fact, this virus has been seen before. Late last year a child in West Virginia was infected with the virus in what was believed to have been person-to-person spread. The CDC has been urging people with health problems that put them at high risk of becoming severely ill if they contract influenza to avoid pig barns at fairs. And they are recommending that people who do visit the barns not eat or drink while in the facilities, and wash their hands after their visit. Meanwhile, agricultural authorities are testing pigs as they arrive at fairs in a bid to weed out sick pigs so they don't infect other animals.
But a study published last week -- a study on which Cox was an author-- showed that pigs that don't have symptoms can still be infected with flu viruses.
[Byline: Helen Branswell] -- Communicated by: ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall [There have now been 276 cases of A(H3N2)v virus infection in 10 states; none outside the United States. Limited person-to-person transmission has occurred, but specific information is not provided to the extent that even the states where transmission occurred are named. -
UNDIAGNOSED FATAL ILLNESS - NEPAL (02): (KALIKOT) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Date: Fri 24 Aug 2012 Source: The Himalayan, Himalayan News Service [edited] http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Four+die+of+mystery+disease+in+Kalikot&NewsID=344743 Four die of mystery disease in Kalikot -------------------------------- An unknown disease in Kalikot has claimed the lives of four girl students of Kalikot's chhalaha-based Kalika Lower Secondary School and as many as 90 students have been taken ill. According to head teacher Man Bahadur Budha, the students had been complaining of fever, common cold, headache and swelling on the body for the past one month. The identities of the four deceased students are yet to be ascertained. Twenty more people from the village are said to be taken ill due to the unknown disease. The disease has infected people from 6-month-old to 20 years of age. Locals accused the government for being indifferent towards the outbreak. "The lack of citadel [probably an analgesic and anti-pyretic equivalent of acetaminophen/paracetamol. - Mod.CP] at Khinneta Health Post had added to the patients' woes," local Bhati Bam said. Chief District Officer, Jagat Bahadur Basnet, said health workers would be deployed to the incident site on Sat 25 Aug 2012. -- Communicated by: ProMED-mail[From the information available it is not certain that the illness responsible for the 4 deaths among 90 school-children is a consequence of an infectious disease. Reports of undiagnosed disease in Nepal have been frequent in the past and 'Requests For Information' have been unproductive. Kalikot District is a one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal. This district covers an area of 1,741 km² and has a population (2001) of 105,580. A map showing the location of Kalikot District within Nepal can be accessed at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalikot_District, and the interactive HealthMap of Nepal is available at: http://healthmap.org/r/1COd. Part (5) of ProMED-mail 'Measlese update 2012 (33) 20120825.126334' describes the almost simultaneous occurrence of the deaths of four infants in the Doli District of Nepal. The fatalities of the children in these two Districts are unlikely to be related, since the deaths of the infants in Doli district were attributed to administration of defective measles virus vaccine.
Cholera outbreak worsens in Sierra Leone
Saturday, 25 August 2012 09:19
At least 217 people have died in the worst cholera outbreak to have hit Sierra Leone, according to humanitarian officials.
It said the number of people affected is "likely to increase significantly in the next month".
Increasing overcrowding and early rains in cities such as capital city, Freetown, have pushed the number of reported cases spiraling from the previous record of 10,000 in 1994.
Aid groups say there has been a spike in reported cholera cases since mid-July and the onset of the rainy season.
Some 82 deaths have been reported in neighboring Guinea, while other cases have been seen in Mali and Niger.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine, contracted by eating or drinking contaminated food or liquids. It can cause acute diarrhea and vomiting and can kill within hours.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have launched an emergency appeal for $1.14 m and have warned that the outbreak risks sparking a wider health crisis unless its causes are tackled more aggressively.
Amanda McClelland, Emergency Health Co-ordinator for the IFRC issued a statement saying: "The disease has the potential to cause a serious humanitarian crisis."
She explained that the level of aid coverage was still "very low", adding "it is an urgent to step up our efforts as the situation is deteriorating quickly ... We need more funds to deliver the most effective response".
"We are projecting more cases considering we have a month more of heavy rainfall," she added.
The money spent on tackling the roots of the outbreak so far has been spent on health promotion activities and on helping affected families prepare oral rehydration solutions and build suitable toilets.
Sidie Yahya Tunis, the spokesman for the Health Ministry citied the expansion of the poor suburbs of Freetown as a factor in the disease's spread.
"It's not just that we have more people in the slums, we have more slum areas in the Western Area (around Freetown) as well," Cholera outbreak worsens in Sierra Leone
FAZ assures over Uganda’s ebola threat
By Felix Malunga -
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has assured the nation that it will not risk the Chipolopolo travel to Uganda in October for the return leg of the final qualifying round for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) before getting a ‘green light’ over the ebola virus scare.
FAZ vice-president, Boniface Mwamelo said the association was closely monitoring the situation in Uganda and that it would be too risky to send an advance party to Kampala without clearance from health authorities.
Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Eastern Province (north-eastern DRC)
Democratic Republic of the Congo (the)
Visit of the Minister of Public Health and the WHO Representative in Isiro, home to the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Eastern Province (north-eastern DRC)27 Aug 2012World Health OrganizationDownload PDF (220.04 KB)
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Situation_Report_82.pdf
The Minister of Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi and the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the DRC, Dr. Léodégal Bazira arrived Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Isiro for a supervisory visit to the fight against the epidemic of fi Èvre Ebola just be officially declared on August 17. Isiro Chief town of the Haut-Uele District, is located more or less 570 km north-east of Kisangani, capital of Orientale Province. The latest figures available at the date of August 24, 2012 report 17 probable or confi rmed that 10 people died, a fatality rate of 59%. According to the results of laboratory tests performed in those where the infection is confi rmed, this epidemic was triggered by the Ebola Bundibugyo strain."The risk of epidemic spread to other towns and cities are real, and we call for the mobilization of all to break the chain of transmission now," said the Minister of Health, referring the areas of health Dungu, Pawa and Viadana who in turn recorded suspects. "This is why we set up an international committee of scientists and technical coordination that is chaired by Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum virologist Congolese renowned for better management and control of this epidemic quick "added Dr. Kabange Numbi. He praised the "outstanding work and health emergency partners of the DRC such as the World Health, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Center for Disease Control (CDCAtlanta) Fund United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO). ""We urgently appeal to the international community to assist the DRC authorities afi n stop as soon as possible the spread of this highly contagious disease causing mortality up to 90% of cases," said to its part, the WHO Representative. "It must be quickly put in place interventions to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, support cases and contain the spread of the epidemic through measures of hygiene and sanitation and social mobilization," said the Dr. Bazira.Furthermore Isiro, the epicenter of the current outbreak, the Ministry of Public Health and the WHO Representative visited supervision Viadana Saturday, August 25, 2012, one of the areas where the health warning cases suspects was given to 75 km south-west of Haut-Uele District. They encouraged health professionals and educated people to do more to stem the epidemic and to report any cases with symptoms resembling those of FHVE. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Freliefweb.int%2Fsites%2Freliefweb.int%2Ffiles%2Fresources%2FSituation_Report_82.pdf
Visit of the Minister of Public Health and the WHO Representative in Isiro, home to the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Eastern Province (north-eastern DRC)27 Aug 2012World Health OrganizationDownload PDF (220.04 KB)
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Situation_Report_82.pdf
The Minister of Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi and the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the DRC, Dr. Léodégal Bazira arrived Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Isiro for a supervisory visit to the fight against the epidemic of fi Èvre Ebola just be officially declared on August 17. Isiro Chief town of the Haut-Uele District, is located more or less 570 km north-east of Kisangani, capital of Orientale Province. The latest figures available at the date of August 24, 2012 report 17 probable or confi rmed that 10 people died, a fatality rate of 59%. According to the results of laboratory tests performed in those where the infection is confi rmed, this epidemic was triggered by the Ebola Bundibugyo strain."The risk of epidemic spread to other towns and cities are real, and we call for the mobilization of all to break the chain of transmission now," said the Minister of Health, referring the areas of health Dungu, Pawa and Viadana who in turn recorded suspects. "This is why we set up an international committee of scientists and technical coordination that is chaired by Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum virologist Congolese renowned for better management and control of this epidemic quick "added Dr. Kabange Numbi. He praised the "outstanding work and health emergency partners of the DRC such as the World Health, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Center for Disease Control (CDCAtlanta) Fund United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO). ""We urgently appeal to the international community to assist the DRC authorities afi n stop as soon as possible the spread of this highly contagious disease causing mortality up to 90% of cases," said to its part, the WHO Representative. "It must be quickly put in place interventions to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, support cases and contain the spread of the epidemic through measures of hygiene and sanitation and social mobilization," said the Dr. Bazira.Furthermore Isiro, the epicenter of the current outbreak, the Ministry of Public Health and the WHO Representative visited supervision Viadana Saturday, August 25, 2012, one of the areas where the health warning cases suspects was given to 75 km south-west of Haut-Uele District. They encouraged health professionals and educated people to do more to stem the epidemic and to report any cases with symptoms resembling those of FHVE. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Freliefweb.int%2Fsites%2Freliefweb.int%2Ffiles%2Fresources%2FSituation_Report_82.pdf
Sunday, August 26, 2012
RAPPORT DE SITUATION HUMANITAIRE SUR LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
24 août 2012
VERSION FINALE
..Warning: Arrival August 18th General Hospital Reference Oïcha in Beni Territory, the patient suspected
Ebola died on 20 August. The Chief Medical Officer of Health Area Oïcha informed the Provincial Division
health so that arrangements are in place in the territory of Beni neighboring Uganda and the Province
Eastern already affected by this epidemic. A meeting is planned with the aid shortly to
finalize the contingency plan developed by the District Health Beni. A partner has already demonstrated to
support the health district of Beni and the Congolese Red Cross to raise awareness among professionals
health centers and population. [link to www.rdc-humanitaire.net]
Dr. Léodégal Bazira, WHO Representative in the DRC
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Dr. Léodégal Bazira, WHO Representative in the DRC, this currently Isiro in the Eastern Province, is the point of the home situation of the Ebola epidemic in this region of the Democratic Republic of Congo where 11 people are already died of the hemorrhagic fever. This epidemic outbreaks of Ebola have also been reported in neighboring countries such as the DRC Uganda. [link to translate.google.com]
Dr. Léodégal Bazira, WHO Representative in the DRC, this currently Isiro in the Eastern Province, is the point of the home situation of the Ebola epidemic in this region of the Democratic Republic of Congo where 11 people are already died of the hemorrhagic fever. This epidemic outbreaks of Ebola have also been reported in neighboring countries such as the DRC Uganda. [link to translate.google.com]
suspected case in the territory of Beni
HATTIP RONAN
22 août 2012 Province du Nord Kivu N° 29/12
...
Health Alert• A suspected case of Ebola received August 18 General Hospital Reference Oïcha in Beni Territory, is died Aug. 20. According to the medical director of the General Hospital and the Medical Officer of Health Oïcha area,The patient showed signs of diarrhea, nasal bleeding and anal. The Medical Officer of Health Zone Oïcha of the information transmitted to the Provincial Division of Health so that preventive measures be implemented in the territory of Beni, bordering Uganda and the Eastern Province are already affected by this epidemic. Beni District Health has developed a first draft of the plan
contingency and a meeting with humanitarian partners is expected in the coming days to finalizing this document. Subject to the decisions and actions taken by the Task Force set up by the National Department of Public Health, a partner has already positioned to support the health district Beni and the Congolese Red Cross activities in outreach center professionals health and population...
[link to reliefweb.int]
22 août 2012 Province du Nord Kivu N° 29/12
...
Health Alert• A suspected case of Ebola received August 18 General Hospital Reference Oïcha in Beni Territory, is died Aug. 20. According to the medical director of the General Hospital and the Medical Officer of Health Oïcha area,The patient showed signs of diarrhea, nasal bleeding and anal. The Medical Officer of Health Zone Oïcha of the information transmitted to the Provincial Division of Health so that preventive measures be implemented in the territory of Beni, bordering Uganda and the Eastern Province are already affected by this epidemic. Beni District Health has developed a first draft of the plan
contingency and a meeting with humanitarian partners is expected in the coming days to finalizing this document. Subject to the decisions and actions taken by the Task Force set up by the National Department of Public Health, a partner has already positioned to support the health district Beni and the Congolese Red Cross activities in outreach center professionals health and population...
[link to reliefweb.int]
Too quiet in DRC, a few recent stories
Here are a few stories on ebola, but it has been VERY quiet the past few days..
Man steals phone from Ebola patient, gets infected
Sunday, August 26 2012 at 01:00
Security and medical officials in Kibaale District have registered a case in which a man allegedly went in an isolation ward at Kagadi Hospital and stole a cellular phone from one of the Ebola patients.
The 40-year-old resident of Kyakabugahya LCI in Kagadi Town Council travelled about three kilometers to the hospital to apparently obtain a phone estimated to be valued at Shs60,000 more than two weeks ago.
The suspect allegedly broke into the isolation ward on the night of Tuesday August 14, undetected by hospital guards. The patient, who has since succumbed to the deadly hemorrhagic fever, then reported the theft to the hospital security that then embarked on tracing the alleged thief.
Police detectives began tracking him after he apparently began communicating to his friends using the phone. But as police zeroed in on him, he developed symptoms similar to those of Ebola and sought medication at the hospital.
While at hospital he reportedly confessed stealing the phone and has handed it to Kagadi police.
“Kagadi Police Station received
[link to www.monitor.co.ug]
Health-Bulletin
Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 08:00:00
db51341
(Congo-Brazzaville)
Public health response plan against the Ebola virus reactivated
The precautionary principle is put forward by the Congolese administration of health, due to the recurrence of hemorrhagic fever that has already claimed several victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo
All Departments having border with the DRC live an alert to the Ebola outbreak, according to the Director General of Health in the Republic of Congo. Alexis Elect Dokekias said to the press have seized the departmental Health and medical officers of health and social constituencies in Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette, Plateaux, Pool, Niari, Bouenza and Kouilou in to reactivate the device response against the Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
Even the Cuvette-Ouest, no border with the DRC, is involved in preventive measures against possible entry of the virus, which had caused several deaths in this part of Congo in 2004 and 2005. "We have very long borders with DRC border river and land simultaneously. Even if we sometimes traffic control, we can not control the animals crossing land borders. Therefore, if we were faced with this epidemic, we might respond, "he argued....
[link to www.brazzaville-adiac.com]
Adopting measures to prevent Ebola Congo
Brazzaville, Aug 25 (PL) Congo's health authorities announced today the adoption of measures in the African country to prevent Ebola epidemic, which affects the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Congolese Health CEO, Alexis Elira Dokekias, said health officials in the provinces bordering the DRC were properly oriented to reactivate the device response against the disease.
The provisions cover the northern territories as Likouala, Cuvette and Sangha; alongside Plateaux (center), Pool, Niari, Bouenza and Kouilou (south) and Cuvette West said.
He stated that the preventive measures include raising awareness not to touch or eat meat of dead animals found in wooded areas, in addition to the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance in general....
[link to www.prensa-latina.cu]
Man steals phone from Ebola patient, gets infected
Sunday, August 26 2012 at 01:00
Security and medical officials in Kibaale District have registered a case in which a man allegedly went in an isolation ward at Kagadi Hospital and stole a cellular phone from one of the Ebola patients.
The 40-year-old resident of Kyakabugahya LCI in Kagadi Town Council travelled about three kilometers to the hospital to apparently obtain a phone estimated to be valued at Shs60,000 more than two weeks ago.
The suspect allegedly broke into the isolation ward on the night of Tuesday August 14, undetected by hospital guards. The patient, who has since succumbed to the deadly hemorrhagic fever, then reported the theft to the hospital security that then embarked on tracing the alleged thief.
Police detectives began tracking him after he apparently began communicating to his friends using the phone. But as police zeroed in on him, he developed symptoms similar to those of Ebola and sought medication at the hospital.
While at hospital he reportedly confessed stealing the phone and has handed it to Kagadi police.
“Kagadi Police Station received
[link to www.monitor.co.ug]
Health-Bulletin
Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 08:00:00
db51341
(Congo-Brazzaville)
Public health response plan against the Ebola virus reactivated
The precautionary principle is put forward by the Congolese administration of health, due to the recurrence of hemorrhagic fever that has already claimed several victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo
All Departments having border with the DRC live an alert to the Ebola outbreak, according to the Director General of Health in the Republic of Congo. Alexis Elect Dokekias said to the press have seized the departmental Health and medical officers of health and social constituencies in Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette, Plateaux, Pool, Niari, Bouenza and Kouilou in to reactivate the device response against the Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
Even the Cuvette-Ouest, no border with the DRC, is involved in preventive measures against possible entry of the virus, which had caused several deaths in this part of Congo in 2004 and 2005. "We have very long borders with DRC border river and land simultaneously. Even if we sometimes traffic control, we can not control the animals crossing land borders. Therefore, if we were faced with this epidemic, we might respond, "he argued....
[link to www.brazzaville-adiac.com]
Adopting measures to prevent Ebola Congo
Brazzaville, Aug 25 (PL) Congo's health authorities announced today the adoption of measures in the African country to prevent Ebola epidemic, which affects the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Congolese Health CEO, Alexis Elira Dokekias, said health officials in the provinces bordering the DRC were properly oriented to reactivate the device response against the disease.
The provisions cover the northern territories as Likouala, Cuvette and Sangha; alongside Plateaux (center), Pool, Niari, Bouenza and Kouilou (south) and Cuvette West said.
He stated that the preventive measures include raising awareness not to touch or eat meat of dead animals found in wooded areas, in addition to the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance in general....
[link to www.prensa-latina.cu]
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Did the Kigadi Ebola outbreak threaten to become an (inter)national epidemic?
Map of the Uganda road network, created using the R programming languageWe want to evaluate the seriousness of the threat posed by the recent ebola outbreak in western Uganda. The outbreak appeared in Kigadi, a small village in the Kibaale district. The disease was first confirmed by the government on 28 July. By 11 Aug, Medecins Sans Frontieres epidemiologist Dr Paul Roddy said the disease was under control, with no new deaths in August. It will be classified as contained if there are no confirmed cases by middle September. In total, 19 people died from the disease in the outbreak.
The disease spreads between people by contact with contaminated body fluids. Transmission, then, is slow (in comparison to disease with aerosol transmission, i.e. influenza). We reasoned that if the disease was to spread to other...
[link to www.scipirate.com]
CDC Acknowledges H3N2v Human to Human Transmission
Recombinomics Commentary 21:00
August 24, 2012
The three instances of likely person-to-person spread of H3N2v were recently identified during investigations of cases and their household contacts and are not epidemiologically linked to one another. In all three cases, transmission is thought to have occurred from one person to another person without further spread to additional people. Each of these three instances of likely person-to-person spread happened between 2 people living in the same household, with the initial infection in each household being associated with pig exposure at an agricultural fair.
The above comments are from the CDC August 24 update, which acknowledges limited human to human (H2H) transmission of H3N2v as noted above. However, this approach of following the CDC biased sample who had extensive swine contact severely limits investigation. Most families with H2H transmission will be excluded, because family members had some sort ofg swine exposure. The CDC approach is similar to other countries limiting confirmed cases of H5N1 by limiting testing. Moreover, the 2012 cases are due to the sub-clade initially identified in a West Virginia cay care center where there..
[link to www.recombinomics.com]
The National Hygiene border war against Ebola in DRC
Santé Kinshasa, 24/08/2012 / Health
The National Programme of Health announced border control measures according to which every traveler is required to fill in a form on arrival in Kinshasa, to stop the spread of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
. Now, every traveler must fill out a form on his arrival in Kinshasa in all border crossings. The National Hygiene border, former management of international quarantine announced this control on Sunday, August 19 to restrict the spread of Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
. According to the Deputy National Director of the National Hygiene border, Dr. Michel Musudi this medical form is a way of collecting from the traveler the symptoms of Ebola.
"This sheet will know where he is going and who they should contact. . On the card, there's destination address. In case he showed symptoms of the disease at the border could take her to a health center. If there are many signs that fall within the definition of cases, we will reap the samples. And if it turns out that the person is positive, we can go back to all the people with whom she came into contact. "
Indeed, the director of the National Institute of biomedical research and virologist, Dr. Muyembe has reminds that there is to this day, "or medicine or vaccine against Ebola virus." . According to him, the only remedy against this disease is to break the chain of transmission. : And for this, we must:
Before the introduction of this sheet border, the Crisis Committee epidemics District Isiro, where cases have been detected for the current epidemic had taken some measures to stop the spread of the disease.
. Hand hygiene and food is highly recommended. . It is forbidden to shake hands or be in contact with a person suffering from this disease. . In addition, it is forbidden to touch or wash the body of a deceased person of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
The Ebola outbreak was declared in the DRC last week with twelve cases with six deaths, according to the chief medical officer of health district interim Isiro, Dr. Jacques Gumbaluka.e. The Minister of Health, Dr Felix Kabange Numbi said last weekend that the disease has been detected in the Dungu district Isiro and Vianana in the Eastern Province.
"There was a warning in Bukavu, South Kivu. But the analyzes are ongoing, "said the minister.
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. According to the Deputy National Director of the National Hygiene border, Dr. Michel Musudi this medical form is a way of collecting from the traveler the symptoms of Ebola.
"This sheet will know where he is going and who they should contact. . On the card, there's destination address. In case he showed symptoms of the disease at the border could take her to a health center. If there are many signs that fall within the definition of cases, we will reap the samples. And if it turns out that the person is positive, we can go back to all the people with whom she came into contact. "
Indeed, the director of the National Institute of biomedical research and virologist, Dr. Muyembe has reminds that there is to this day, "or medicine or vaccine against Ebola virus." . According to him, the only remedy against this disease is to break the chain of transmission. : And for this, we must:
- ; Isolate the sick;
- ; Protect the medical team;
- ; Detect anyone in contact with patients;
- Follow for 21 days to analyze and isolate their blood fever.
Before the introduction of this sheet border, the Crisis Committee epidemics District Isiro, where cases have been detected for the current epidemic had taken some measures to stop the spread of the disease.
. Hand hygiene and food is highly recommended. . It is forbidden to shake hands or be in contact with a person suffering from this disease. . In addition, it is forbidden to touch or wash the body of a deceased person of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
The Ebola outbreak was declared in the DRC last week with twelve cases with six deaths, according to the chief medical officer of health district interim Isiro, Dr. Jacques Gumbaluka.e. The Minister of Health, Dr Felix Kabange Numbi said last weekend that the disease has been detected in the Dungu district Isiro and Vianana in the Eastern Province.
"There was a warning in Bukavu, South Kivu. But the analyzes are ongoing, "said the minister.
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Friday, August 24, 2012
Uganda-Another Ebola patient dead, only one remains in isolation facility
Another person has succumbed to Ebola after a long battle with the deadly fever at the isolation facility at Kagadi government hospital in Kibaale district.
This brings the total number of people who have died of the deadly hemorrhagic disease to 17. The deceased’s identity has however been withheld by the health ministry.
The ministry’s public relations officer Rukia Nakamatte says since she was admitted in the isolation camp her condition had never improved and her chances of survival were minimal.
Nakamatte adds that the deceased was HIV positive and by the time she contracted Ebola she had just had an abortion thus making her immune system very weak. She says now only one Ebola patient remains admitted at the isolation facility.
Nakamatte adds that 3 suspected Ebola cases are currently undergoing monitoring and their samples have already been taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute for tests.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
ADULT-ONSET IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME - ASIAN PATIENTS, NOT HIV
Date: Thu 22 Aug 2012 Source: Associated Pres [edited] http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_MYSTERY_DISEASE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-08-22-18-04-18 New AIDS-like disease in Asians, not contagious ----------------------------------------------- Researchers have identified a mysterious new disease that has left scores of people in Asia and some in the United States with AIDS-like symptoms even though they are not infected with HIV. The patients' immune systems become damaged, leaving them unable to fend off germs as healthy people do. What triggers this isn't known, but the disease does not seem to be contagious. This is another kind of acquired immune deficiency that is not inherited and occurs in adults, but doesn't spread the way AIDS does through a virus, said Dr. Sarah Browne, a scientist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. She helped lead the study with researchers in Thailand and Taiwan where most of the cases have been found since 2004. Their report is in Thursday's [22 Aug 2012] New England Journal of Medicine [see below]. "This is absolutely fascinating. I've seen probably at least 3 patients in the last 10 years or so" who might have had this, said Dr. Dennis Maki, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. It's still possible that an infection of some sort could trigger the disease, even though the disease itself doesn't seem to spread person-to-person, he said. The disease develops around age 50 on average but does not run in families, which makes it unlikely that a single gene is responsible, Browne said. Some patients have died of overwhelming infections, including some Asians now living in the U.S., although Browne could not estimate how many. A 62-year-old seamstress from Viet Nam who has lived in Tennessee since 1975, was gravely ill when she sought help for a persistent fever, infections throughout her bones and other bizarre symptoms in 2009. She had been sick off and on for several years and had visited Viet Nam in 1995 and again in early 2009. "She was wasting away from this systemic infection" that at 1st seemed like tuberculosis but wasn't, said Dr. Carlton Hays Jr., a family physician at the Jackson Clinic in Jackson, Tenn. "She's a small woman to begin with, but when I 1st saw her, her weight was 91 pounds, and she lost down to 69 pounds." This patient was referred to specialists at the National Institutes of Health who had been tracking similar cases. She spent nearly a year at an NIH hospital in Bethesda, Md., and is there now for monitoring and further treatment. "I feel great now," she said Wednesday [21 Aug 2012]. But when she was sick, "I felt dizzy, headaches, almost fell down," she said. "I could not eat anything." AIDS is a specific disease, and it stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. That means the immune system becomes impaired during someone's lifetime, rather than from inherited gene defects like the "bubble babies" who are born unable to fight off germs. The virus that causes AIDS -- HIV [human immunodeficiency virus) -- destroys T-cells, key soldiers of the immune system that fight germs. The new disease doesn't affect those cells, but causes a different kind of damage. Browne's study of more than 200 people in Taiwan and Thailand found that most of those with the disease make substances called autoantibodies that block interferon-gamma, a chemical signal that helps the body clear infections. Blocking that signal leaves people like those with AIDS -- vulnerable to viruses, fungal infections and parasites, but especially mycobacteria, a group of germs that can cause severe lung damage. Researchers are calling this new disease an "adult-onset" immunodeficiency syndrome because it develops later in life and they don't know why or how. "Fundamentally, we do not know what's causing them to make these antibodies," Browne said. Antibiotics aren't always effective, so doctors have tried a variety of other approaches, including a cancer drug that helps suppress production of antibodies. The disease quietens in some patients once the infections are tamed, but the faulty immune system is likely a chronic condition, researchers believe. The fact that nearly all the patients so far have been Asian or Asian-born people living elsewhere suggests that genetic factors and something in the environment such as an infection may trigger the disease, researchers conclude. The 1st cases turned up in 2004 and Browne's study enrolled about 100 people in 6 months. "We know there are many others out there," including many cases mistaken as tuberculosis in some countries, she said. [Byline: Marilynn Marchione] -- Communicated by: ProMED-mail[It is assumed the preceding press statement is based on the paper titled: Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency in Thailand and Taiwan. By Sarah K. Browne and other, published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (N Engl J Med 2012; 367:725-734 August 23, 2012; http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1111160). The authors' summary follows. Background ---------- Autoantibodies against interferon-gamma are associated with severe disseminated opportunistic infection, but their importance and prevalence are unknown. Methods ----------- We enrolled 203 persons from sites in Thailand and Taiwan in 5 groups: 52 patients with disseminated, rapidly or slowly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (group 1); 45 patients with another opportunistic infection, with or without nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (group 2); 9 patients with disseminated tuberculosis (group 3); 49 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (group 4); and 48 healthy controls (group 5). Clinical histories were recorded, and blood specimens were obtained. Results ------ Patients in groups 1 and 2 had CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts that were similar to those in patients in groups 4 and 5, and they were not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Washed cells obtained from patients in groups 1 and 2 had intact cytokine production and a response to cytokine stimulation. In contrast, plasma obtained from these patients inhibited the activity of interferon-gamma in normal cells. High-titer anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies were detected in 81 percent of patients in group 1, 96 percent of patients in group 2, 11 percent of patients in group 3, 2 percent of patients in group 4, and 2 percent of controls (group 5). 40 other anticytokine autoantibodies were assayed. One patient with cryptococcal meningitis had autoantibodies only against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. No other anticytokine autoantibodies or genetic defects correlated with infections. There was no familial clustering. Conclusions ---------- Neutralizing anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies were detected in 88 percent of Asian adults with multiple opportunistic infections and were associated with an adult-onset immunodeficiency akin to that of advanced HIV infection. The adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome, mediated by the production of anti gamma-interferon antibodies, does not appear to be contagious and the condition develops around age 50 on average but does not run in families, which makes it unlikely that a single gene is responsible, The prevalence of this condition in Asian people, though not necessarily resident in Asia, implies a genetic origin rather than a cryptic infectious agent. But anything is possible
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