Scores isolated after new Ebola outbreak in Uganda

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA, 

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Scores of Ugandans were isolated on Thursday to prevent the spread of a new outbreak of Ebola which has already killed three people.

Uganda has experienced increasingly regular outbreaks of deadly hemorrhagic fevers that have left health officials grappling for answers.

The new Ebola outbreak was confirmed Wednesday in a district 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the Ugandan capital, Kampala. The outbreak comes roughly a month after Uganda declared itself Ebola-free following an earlier outbreak in a remote district of western Uganda. Last month at least five people in a southwestern district of Uganda were killed by Marburg, a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola.

The latest Ebola outbreak, officials say, is of the Sudan strain of Ebola and not linked to the previous one, of the Congo variety, which killed at least 16 villagers in July and August in the western district of Kibaale. In addition to the three dead in the latest outbreak, up to 15 are being monitored for signs of the disease, officials said. They advised against panic after it was revealed that two possible Ebola patients had since checked into Kampala's main referral hospital.

"The Ministry of Health once again calls upon the public to stay calm as all possible measures are being undertaken to control the situation," Christine Ondoa, Uganda's minister of health, said.

Ebola is especially feared in Uganda, where multiple outbreaks have occurred over the years, and news of it can cause patients to flee hospitals to avoid infection. In 2000, in one of the world's worst Ebola outbreaks, the disease infected 425 Ugandans and killed more than half of them in the country's north. Another outbreak in 2007 killed 37 people in Bundibugyo, a remote district close to the Congolese border.

Ebola is highly infectious and kills quickly.

Denis Lwamafa, the director-general of health services in Uganda's Ministry of Health, suggested that there were more reported cases of Ebola in Uganda than other countries because "our diagnostic capability" has increased. But a World Health Organization official in Kampala said there were progressively more cases of Ebola because of an increase in "the interaction between man and the forests."

Investigators believe the first victim of Ebola in any outbreak acquires the disease after coming into contact with a "reservoir," an infected animal that is often a monkey.

"Whenever there is contact between man and the reservoir of Ebola then you get the first case," said Miriam Nanyunja of the World Health Organization.

Ebola was first reported in 1976 in Congo and is named for the river where it was recognized. There is no cure or vaccine for it. Ebola is "characterized by fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, and weakness, followed by diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. A rash, red eyes, hiccups and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients," according to a factsheet by the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or secretions of an infected person, or objects that have been contaminated with infected secretions. During communal funerals, for example, when the bereaved come into contact with an Ebola victim, the virus can be contracted, officials said, warning against unnecessary contact with suspected cases of Ebola.

Nanyunja of WHO said Ugandans near the Ebola epicenter should practice what she called "social distancing," avoiding things such as handshakes and similar contact.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5geepLywm5ASMnqwQl8W70SOAQ8Yw?docId=f81f2b7954154db3af6c36a54588fd86

NSW to Cull 50,000 Chickens Due to Bird Flu Hit in Hunter Valley

November 16, 2012 10:01 AM EST

Australia's woes with its farm animals raised for their meat appears to be unending. After 21,000 Australian sheep were culled in October in Pakistan over suspicions of bacterial contamination, another 50,000 chickens in New South Wales were quarantined this week by state authorities.

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REUTERS/Scanpix Sweden
Bird flu attacked again in Bengal, India and it affected the birds in 13 villages of Nadia Tehatta I. According to the secretary of the ARD department, there are around 51,000 hens and ducks gathered within the affected area specifically around 3-km radius.  http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/405504/20121116/nsw-cull-50-000-chickens-due-bird.htm#.UKYsYYfpeDQ

3 more test positive to Ebola in Luweero

Publish Date: Nov 16, 2012

Three more residents of Nyimbwa in Luweero district have tested positive to the Ebola haemorrhagic fever.  
This brings the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the district since last month to six, three of whom have died.           

“The blood samples for three people which we sent yesterday have come out indicating they are also infected with Ebola,” Richard Kawenyera, the district Ebola surveillance officer, told Saturday Vision yesterday (Friday).           

Kawenyera did not divulge details about the patients saying he was too busy.           

But it is believed that they are related to the three members of the same family who died in Kakute sub-county, Sambu Parish, Nyimbwa sub-county...

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637350-3-more-test-positive-to-ebola-in-luweero.html

Growing concerns over 'in the air' transmission of Ebola

15 November 2012 Last updated at 19:50 ET

Canadian scientists have shown that the deadliest form of the ebola virus could be transmitted by air between species.

In experiments, they demonstrated that the virus was transmitted from pigs to monkeys without any direct contact between them.

The researchers say they believe that limited airborne transmission might be contributing to the spread of the disease in some parts of Africa.

They are concerned that pigs might be a natural host for the lethal infection.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

What we suspect is happening is large droplets - they can stay in the air, but not long, they don't go far. But they can be absorbed in the airway”

Dr Gary KobingerPublic Health Agency of Canada

Ebola viruses cause fatal haemorrhagic fevers in humans and many other species of non human primates.

Details of the research were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the infection gets into humans through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs and other bodily fluids from a number of species including chimpanzees, gorillas and forest antelope.

The fruit bat has long been considered the natural reservoir of the infection. But a growing body of experimental evidence suggests that pigs, both wild and domestic, could be a hidden source of Ebola Zaire - the most deadly form of the virus.

Now, researchers from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the country's Public Health Agency have shown that pigs infected with this form of Ebola can pass the disease on to macaques without any direct contact between the species.

In their experiments, the pigs carrying the virus were housed in pens with the monkeys in close proximity but separated by a wire barrier. After eight days, some of the macaques were showing clinical signs typical of ebola and were euthanised.

One possibility is that the monkeys became infected by inhaling large aerosol droplets produced from the respiratory tracts of the pigs.

Pigs could act as a host and amplify the Ebola virus

One of the scientists involved is Dr Gary Kobinger from the National Microbiology Laboratory at the Public Health Agency of Canada. He told BBC News this was the most likely route of the infection.

"What we suspect is happening is large droplets - they can stay in the air, but not long, they don't go far," he explained.

"But they can be absorbed in the airway and this is how the infection starts, and this is what we think, because we saw a lot of evidence in the lungs of the non-human primates that the virus got in that way."

The scientists say that their findings could explain why some pig farmers in the Philippines had antibodies in their system for the presence of a different version of the infection called Ebola Reston. The farmers had not been involved in slaughtering the pigs and had no known contact with contaminated tissues.

Dr Kobinger stresses that the transmission in the air is not similar to influenza or other infections. He points to the experience of most human outbreaks in Africa.

"The reality is that they are contained and they remain local, if it was really an airborne virus like influenza is it would spread all over the place, and that's not happening."

Hidden host

The authors believe that more work needs to be done to clarify the role of wild and domestic pigs in spreading the virus. There have been anecdotal accounts of pigs dying at the start of human outbreaks. Dr Kobinger believes that if pigs do play a part, it could help contain the virus.

"If they do play a role in human outbreaks it would be a very easy point to intervene" he said. "It would be easier to vaccinate pigs against Ebola than humans."

Workers prepare to disinfect during a recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda

Other experts in the field were concerned about the idea that Ebola was susceptible to being transmitted by air even if the distance the virus could travel was limited. Dr Larry Zeitlin is the president of Mapp Biopharmaceuticals.

"It's an impressive study that not only raises questions about the reservoir of Ebola in the wild, but more importantly elevates concerns about ebola as a public health threat," he told BBC News. "The thought of airborne transmission is pretty frightening."

At present, an outbreak of ebola in Uganda has killed at least two people near the capital Kampala. Last month, Uganda declared itself Ebola-free after an earlier outbreak of the disease killed at least sixteen people in the west of the country.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20341423

Ebola from Pigs to Monkeys

A deadly Ebola virus can spread from pigs to monkeys without direct contact, pointing to pig farms as a possible contributor to Ebola outbreaks.

By Ed Yong | November 15, 2012

Although Ebola viruses can cause fatal disease in humans and other primates, pigs can carry the infections with few ill effects. Now, Canadian scientists have shown that apparently healthy pigs can pass the deadliest species of Ebola to monkeys, even without ever coming into contact with them.

The study, published today (November 15) inScientific Reports, marks the first time that the virus has spread between different species in a lab experiment, and suggests that pig farms could be facilitate such species-hopping in more natural conditions.

However, Gary Kobinger from the University of Manitoba, who led the study, cautioned that “we still don’t know if pigs are playing any role in the natural transmission or ecology of Ebola virus in Africa.”

“An epidemiological survey of wild and domestic pigs in sub-Saharan Africa is now necessary,” agreed Shigeru Morikawa from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, who was not involved in the research.

Ebola has been found in gorillas, chimps, duikers (a small a  http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/33277/title/Ebola-from-Pigs-to-Monkeys/

Suspect Ebola fever in Luweero-40 monitored

Suspect Ebola fever in Luweero

THURSDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2012 08:10 BY ALOYSIOUS KASOMA

The suspected deadly Ebola fever has been detected in Nyimbwa sub-county in Luweero district and two members of the same family have died. 

This latest incidence happened in Sombwe Parish about 40km north of Kampala.  Joseph Okware, the Luwero District Health Officer Wednesday confirmed that the dead are members of the same family.

He said Gladys Namakula and Rehemah Najjemba of Kikyusa village died and were buried on 10th and 12th respectively.

Authorities said that the two are said to having got the virus from their brother who had been admitted to the hospital in October.

It is now about two months after the country was declared Ebola free by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Okware said the deceased blood samples were taken to Uganda Virus Research Institute and tested. He said that other members of the family have been admitted at Bombo Military Hospital. 

He said that 40 other people who were in close contact with the deceased are being closely monitored by the surveillance team from WHO, and Ministry of Health among others. 

Residents said one other family member identified only as Kabugo, a boda boda rider in Bombo town council died on November 7, after presenting with symptoms of Ebola like vomiting, high fever, vomiting blood, and severe chest pain.

The ministry of health said that the ministry has sent a technical team to do surveillance work on ground. http://www.independent.co.ug/news/news/6816?task=view

Uganda: new outbreak of Ebola, 2 dead

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.slateafrique.com%2F91997%2Febola-alerte-rouge-en-ouganda

Brief on the Marburg (Ebola) Out Break: Posted 14/11/12

http://health.go.ug/docs/Brief.pdf

Ebola: Five admitted, 15 under surveillance

Five people suspected to have Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been admitted to different health facilities after it was established that they had been in close contact with the two people who were confirmed to have succumbed to the disease, following the latest outbreak in Luweero District, 50 kilometers from Kampala

Two of the suspects, an elderly woman and his son both related to the deceased, were Thursday admitted to the Mulago National Referral Hospital isolation facility where they are being closely monitored as they wait for results from their blood samples, expected on Friday.

Another person is admitted at Bombo Military Hospital in Luweero, while the other three are confined to their homes as an isolation centre is being set up at Nyimbwa Health Centre IV.

The Commissioner for National Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Denis Lwamafa said 15 people in Nyimbwa sub-county, Luweero, who are suspected to have come in contact with the fatalities are now under surveillance.

“This is a fresh outbreak. There is no epidemiological link between the outbreaks in Kibaale, western Uganda and the one in Luweero,” Dr Lwamafa said while responding to concerns on the possibility that the country could have been immaturely declared Ebola-free.

Uganda was declared Ebola free on October 4th after observing a 42 day post Ebola surveillance period.

Laboratory investigations done at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe have confirmed that two people, all from one family in Sambwe Parish in Nyimbwa Sub-county, Luweero District, were among the first three fatalities of the Sudan strain virus that has been reported in the area.

The Minister for Health Dr. Christine Ondoa confirmed the outbreak Thursday.

This is the second epidemic in the country this year. The first one claimed 11 lives.

Travel Ban

The World Health Organisation, however, says that there is no travel ban on Uganda yet, with an exception of the affected areas. As a result, the minister told journalists, Uganda’s borders remain open both for people coming in and leaving the country.

She however said the government cannot regulate or stop other countries that may ban Ugandans from entering their countries.

Below is the Minister’s statement in full:

Ministry Of Health
15th November 2012
PRESS STATEMENT
EBOLA OUTBREAK IN LUWEERO DISTRICT

KAMPALA - The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that another Viral Hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, has broken out in the country. This follows confirmation from the laboratory investigations done at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe that two people, all from one family in Kakute sub-county, Sambu parish in Nyimbwa sub-county, Luweero district, had died of Ebola, the Sudan strain.

A total of three people have since the onset of the outbreak died in Luweero district located in the central part of the country. The first case, a boda boda rider, died on October 25th after presenting with signs of high fever and bleeding from some body parts. However, no samples were taken from this case as it was not reported to the health facility.

The second death occurred on November 10th 2012 at Nyimbwa Health Center IV. This was 25-year-old woman who had had nursed the boda boda rider. She too, presented with signs and symptoms of Ebola. The third case, also from the same family occurred on October 12 at Nyimbwa Health Center.

A number of suspects have already been identified and attended to appropriately. Currently, there are five suspects closely being monitored by our surveillance team. One is admitted at Bombo Military Hospital, two at Mulago National Referral Hospital Isolation facility while three are still in the communities. Those admitted have an epidemiological link with the index family and nursed the earlier two who were confirmed to have died of the disease.

The Ministry of Health and its partners have to this effect moved fast and beefed up all the necessary measures to control the spread of this highly contagious disease. 
• A team of experts from the Ministry, World Health Organisation, MSF, AFENET are already on ground to support the response plan.

• A national taskforce coordinated by the Ministry of Heath has now refocused its attention to the Luweero epidemic since the Marburg situation in western Uganda is fully under control.

• Plans are underway to create an isolation facility at Nyimbwa Health Center IV or Bombo Military Hospital.

• The Luweero district taskforce has been reactivated and is developing a response plan

• Active and sustained tracing and listing of all possible contacts that were exposed to the suspected and confirmed cases are in high gear. So far, a number of contacts have been recorded and are closely being monitored.

• The isolation facility at Mulago National Referral Hospital has already been reopened and has admitted two suspect cases.

• The necessary drug supplies and logistics for case management have been mobilized. The National Medical Stores have been requested to send the necessary logistics.

• MSF is already on the ground to evaluate and mobilise the necessary requirements for setting up an appropriate isolation centre at Nyimbwa health center IV or Bombo Military Hospital

• The Ministry has already dispatched Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and body Bags to Luweero district

• Collection of samples from suspect and probable cases has already commenced. Last evening, two samples from taken from suspect cases admitted at Mulago National Referral Hospital

With the above measures, the Ministry of Health is confident that the outbreak will be effectively controlled and there should be no panic among the population.

Ebola is a highly infectious disease, which presents with high grade fever and bleeding tendencies. It is very infectious, kills in a short time but can easily be prevented. The signs and symptoms of the disease include 
• fever,

• vomiting,

• diarrhoea,

• abdominal pain,

• headache,

• measles-like rash,

• red eyes, and sometimes with bleeding from body openings.

It can be spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like saliva, blood, stool, vomit, urine and sweat from an infected person and soiled linen used by a patient. It can also be spread through using skin piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person. Likewise, a person can get it by getting in touch with a dead body of a person who has died of the disease.

The Ministry of Health urges the public, especially in Luweero and the neighbouring districts to take the following measures to avert the spread of the disease. 
• Report and immediately take any suspected patient to a nearby health unit

• Avoid direct contact with body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves and masks

• Disinfect the bedding and clothing of an infected person

• Persons who have died of Ebola must be handled with strong protective wear and buried immediately, avoid feasting and funerals

• Avoid eating dead animals especially monkeys

• Avoid public gathering especially in the affected district

• Burial of suspicious community deaths should be done under close supervision of district health workers

• Report all suspicious deaths to the health workers

The Ministry of Health once again calls upon the public to stay calm as all possible measures are being undertaken to control the situation. The country will be kept informed further on the outcome of the health emergency.

Hon. Dr. Christine Ondoa
Minister of Health

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ebola---Five-admitted--15-under-surveillance/-/688334/1620726/-/item/3/-/dxaqej/-/index.html

Ebola outbreak in Uganda again

The Ministry of Health in Uganda on Thursday that an outbreak of the virus Ebola has killed three people in the central and after five weeks of the announcement of free the country from the deadly virus. was an outbreak similar to the virus in the Kibaale western country since four months have claimed the lives of 17 people.

 said in a statement Ministry of Health, "the ministry moved quickly and took all necessary measures to control the disease highly infectious, has been published relief teams already to control the disease." said Health Minister Cristina Oondoa told reporters that the first victim is the driver motorcycle fever hemorrhagic severe, died on 25 last October, but has not been verified his case immediately.

added Oondoa the nurse "25 years", which was responsible care of him died on 10 November as man died last from the same family the day before. had been transported all the hospital is located just 60 kilometers meters north of the capital. minister said "laboratory tests at the Institute of Virus in Uganda concluded that they all died from infected with Ebola strain of Sudan. 

subject five cases suspected bird flu disease to monitoring by the monitoring team. " After emergency measures with the assistance of WHO and the Center of America for Disease Control Ministry of Health announced that Uganda Ebola disease-free on the fourth of October last, after months of panic in the western areas of the country after reporting dozens of cases.

  http://www.al-sharq.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?AID=216611&CatID=142&title=%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%20%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%20%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B4%D9%89%20%D9%81%D9%8A%20%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%BA%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%20%D9%85%D9%86%20%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF

Australia-Authorities respond to suspect NSW Avian Influenza case

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has quarantined a layer hen facility in the Lower Hunter region following a suspect case of Avian Influenza.

"The suspected virus is definitely not the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has gained worldwide attention — nor is it closely related to that strain," NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said.

"Australia has previously had a small number of outbreaks of Avian Influenza viruses which were all quickly and successfully eradicated.

"The property has been placed under quarantine and initial tracing and surveillance is being undertaken to confirm that the virus hasn’t spread. We currently have no evidence to suggest it has.

"DPI’s First Response Team has been dispatched to monitor the locked-down property."

Dr Roth said the peak egg industry body Australian Egg Corporation has been advised and the property owners are co-operating with authorities.

"We are still waiting on final confirmation from CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory which is expected later this afternoon," Dr Roth said.

Dr Roth said people who notice sick or dead birds should contact their local veterinarian or call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888.

For further information on avian influenza is available. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/all/2012/avian-influenza-case  

Uganda says three dead in new Ebola outbreak near Kampala

KAMPALA | Thu Nov 15, 2012 6:15am

... said five more suspected cases were being monitored, including two at an isolation facility at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.

Luwero itself was last hit by Ebola in May last year, an outbreak in which a 12-year-old girl died.

Dennis Lwamafa, commissioner for disease control, said the latest outbreak was not linked to the July infection, attributing the rising frequency of haemorrhagic fevers to increased disease surveillance.

A team of health experts including personnel from the World Health Organisation and Doctors Without Borders has been sent to Luwero and an isolation facility was being set up at the district's Nyimbwa health centre for suspected Ebola patients, Ondoa said.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/15/us-uganda-ebola-idUSBRE8AE0RC20121115

New Ebola outbreak erupts near Uganda capital Officials say three new deaths confirmed and several evacuations under way in central region only 62km from Kampala.

Last Modified: 15 Nov 2012 12:43

The virus also struck Uganda in July when it claimed 14 lives.

Up to three people have died in Uganda from an outbreak of the Ebola virus in its central region, near the capital Kampala, according to officials. Health Minister Christine Ondoa said on Thursday that two of the dead were from one family in Luwero district. Ondoa told reporters: "Another viral hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, has broken out in the country ... a total of three people have, since the onset of the outbreak ,died". The news of the outbreak came as Ugandan and World Health Organization officials said they have isolated scores of people. The official said that the “contact list” of possible Ebola patients had increased to 15 the day after it was confirmed that the disease was infecting people in Luweero, a district only 62km from Kampala. Two of the Ebola cases are being treated at a Kampala hospital. While appealing for calm, she said the government was working closely with experienced partners to stem the spread of Ebola. Uganda is struggling with the latest bout of deadly hemorrhagic fevers to strike the east African nation in recent months. The virus struck in July in the west of the country, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the disease first occurred in 1976. However, Uganda had declared itself free of Ebola a month ago. On October 19, health officials also reported an outbreak of Marbug, a deadly viral disease known to be a cousin of Ebola, that killed three people. The first case involved a motorcycle taxi driver who died on October 25. The second victim, a 25-year old woman who nursed the driver, died in November. Ebola and Marbug are both highly infectious, spread mostly through contact with body fluids, and have high case fatalities. Symptoms include bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting and while there is no cure for both diseases, some patients survive through treatment of symptoms.  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/20121115112152743777.html?utm_content=automate&utm_campaign=Trial6&utm_source=NewSocialFlow&utm_term=plustweets&utm_medium=MasterAccount

Uganda-Ebola: Five admitted, 15 under surveillance for Sudan strain

BY DAILY MONITORHOME ON NOVEMBER 15, 2012

Five people suspected to have Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been admitted to different health facilities after it was established that they had been in close contact with the fever’s fatalities, whose blood samples confirmed that they had died of Ebola, the Sudan strain.

http://networkedblogs.com/ELIqV

Uganda- New Ebola death toll rises to 3

Publish Date: Nov 15, 2012
At least three people are confirmed to have died from Ebola haemorrhagic fever since last month, the health ministry has said.

All the three victims were members of the same family in Kakute sub-county, Sambu Parish, Nyimbwa sub-county.

“A total of three people have since died since the onset of the outbreak in Luweero district,” health minister, Dr Christine Odoa said Thursday while addressing journalists at the media centre.

The first case, a boda boda rider died on October 25 after presenting signs of high fever and bleeding from some body parts, although no samples were taken for testing, nor was the case reported to the health centre.

The second case, a 25 year old woman died on Saturday after nursing the boda boda cyclist while the third, also a member of the same family, died on Monday at Nyimbwa Health Centre IV.

At least five people suspected to have come into contact with those infected or the deceased are under isolation. Two of these admitted at Mulago Hospital, one at Bombo Hospital and three in Luweero.

The acting director general of health services, Dr Dennis Lwamafa said health experts were also tracing at least fifteen suspected cases in different parts of the country.

The recent Ebola outbreak comes barely two months after the country was declared Ebola-free.

The health ministry has dispatched a team of experts to assess the situation in Luweero, and plans are underway to create isolation centres at Nyimbywa Health Centre IV and Bombo Hospital.   

Dr Miriam Nanyunja, the WHO disease prevention and control advisor said a team of health experts had arrived to boost efforts to contain the epidemic.  http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637326-ebola-death-toll-rises-to-3.html

World Health Organization Warns Of "Spreading" Yellow Fever Outbreak In Darfur

A yellow fever outbreak has hit Sudan's Darfur region, infecting up to 350 people and killing 107 in the last six weeks, the World Health Organization announced Tuesday. The WHO warns that the disease could spread all over the country.

As of Nov. 11, the WHO said in a statement there were 329 suspected cases including 97 deaths were reported from this outbreak. Central and South Darfur have the most suspected cases.

The number of deaths from the outbreak is steadily rising, and Sudan is working on an emergency vaccination drive. Officials reported last week that 67 people had died in the outbreak.

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The majority of those infected have no illness or only mild illness, but those who develop symptoms may experience sudden onset of fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, body aches, fatigue, nausea and vomiting within six days of exposure.

The severe form of disease brings symptoms such as high fever, jaundice, bleeding and eventually shock and failure of multiple organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is no medicinal cure for yellow fever. Doctors treat the main symptoms and wait for the viral infection to pass.

The WHO estimates that   http://www.wibw.com/home/nationalnews/headlines/World-Health-Organization-Warns-Of-Spreading-Yellow-Fever-Outbreak-In-Darfur-179388351.html

Australia-Chook farm lockdown as bird flu hits

Chook farm lockdown as bird flu hits

• BY:ALICIA WOOD 
• From:

The Daily Telegraph 

November 16, 2012 12:00AM

BIRD flu has broken out at a NSW poultry farm, with 50,000 chickens to be killed as a safety measure.

The farm, at Maitland in the lower Hunter region, was in lockdown yesterday as the CSIRO investigated the strain of the flu, although the agency confirmed it was not the deadly bird flu virus that had spread around the world.

Chief veterinary officer Ian Roth stressed there was no need for panic.

"The results confirm that the virus is not the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has gained worldwide attention nor is it closely related to that strain," Dr Roth said.

Nevertheless, Dr Roth said other birds and livestock in the area would be monitored to ensure there has been no spread of the virus.

"The Department of Primary Industries and the Livestock Health and Pest Authority are continuing surveillance and tracing to confirm the virus hasn't spread," he said. "We currently have no evidence to suggest it has spread."...  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/chook-farm-lockdown-as-bird-flu-hits/story-e6frg6n6-1226517729079

Authorities seize poultry in Quang Binh

The Environmental Criminal Prevention Department and Quang Binh Traffic Police yesterday seized 15,000 chickens and ducks in central Quang Binh Province.

The poultry had not been through quarantine and were illegally transported by three coaches from Ha Noi to Quang Binh and Quang Tri for sale, according to the drivers.

The seized poultry will be sent to the provincial veterinary unit to be destroyed in line with current regulations. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/52416/society-in-brief-12-11.html

Fears of an outbreak of bird flu at farms Sohag

A state of fear and panic has dealt owners of poultry farms in Sohag, and private centers in Tema and Balyana, following the deaths of large numbers of poultry exceeded 6 thousand chickens, in 5 farms, at the level of the two centers.

The owners of these farms have complained of neglect of Veterinary Medicine, for follow-up and care, stressing that they are forced to perform acts of treatment and periodic follow-up on their own, as a result of the absence of veterinary role in Sohag.

For its part, denied the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine, a reported injury Poultry Sohag bird flu virus, emphasizing that of the current number of farms may be unusual injuries are not more.

He warned, Mohamed Abdel-Sabour, a veterinarian in Sohag, Sohag Governorate exposure to infected with bird flu, veterinary negligence, stressing the importance of veterinary care and supervision of the entire Veterinary on such farms.

On the other hand, Dr. Ahmed Al-Badri, Director of Veterinary Medicine to maintain, that the Directorate at the moment is doing convoys on agriculture departments, regions and rural villages to maintain, do a comprehensive inventory of poultry farms, to ascertain the extent matching these farms to the terms bio-security.

Badri added that veterinarians involved in these convoys are to withdraw samples from birds in this farm, to make sure "the immune level" and free of bird flu and other diseases affecting poultry.

He pointed out that convoys include inspect poultry be bred houses with rural farmers in villages, with the withdrawal of samples to ensure that they are free from bird flu.

The director of medicine Albitara Sohag, it has been providing all the tools used in the fight against disease of clothes and raincoats hands and masks and disinfectants, with the distribution of a special publication of bird flu on ranchers breeding birds, and dealing with the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine through which illustrate methods of infection of the disease and symptoms, prevention methods and treatment.  http://shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=12112012&id=8c8237e0-8ffe-4544-b2df-f9c3bd253a02

Disease response still inadequate

Reports that a one-and-half-year old boy has died of Marburg virus once again brings to focus the need for sustained awareness and more vigilance. The latest victim, who died at Ruhoko Hospital in Ibanda District on Wednesday, brings the total death toll due to Marburg virus to nine since the outbreak was officially announced last month.

Though the outbreak was first confirmed in the western district of Kabale, disturbing reports indicate that it has so far spread to three other districts in western Uganda. The latest victim, only identified as Alexander, is the second person from Ibanda District to have died from Marburg virus having lost his mother to the same disease.

It is worrying that more people are still dying a month after the disease was reported. Despite assurances from the Health ministry that the disease is under control, there are loopholes that require urgent attention. Admittedly, the health authorities are doing what is within their power to contain further spread and educate the population.

However, there is need to increase surveillance and continually remind communities to be vigilant. Given our past experiences with Marburg and Ebola outbreaks, we ought to take precautionary measures more seriously. This may be challenging in rural areas but it is important to have a comprehensive strategy to contain and prevent similar outbreaks through sustained awareness as well as quick responses.

However, given the sluggish and negligible manner in which the nodding disease in northern Uganda was, for instance, handled, Ugandans must demand better health service delivery, more so in emergency situations such as Ebola and Marburg outbreaks and special cases such as the nodding disease syndrome.

Also, given the nature of rural communities where people rarely seek treatment partly due to lack of easy access to health facilities and ignorance, it is possible that outbreaks may come to the attention of health authorities late, making it extremely difficult to trace people who may have come into contact with affected people, yet Marburg is highly fatal.

Going forward, it is crucial to have in place functional integrated disease surveillance across the country. This will strengthen our response to outbreaks and, most importantly, build vital resources and information on various diseases, preventive measures and possible treatment. http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Disease-response-still-inadequate/-/689360/1617454/-/yc2utlz/-/index.html