Two dead as cholera, dysentery hit Kibaale

 

 Aug 22, 2012

The district has been in efforts to contain the Ebola fever just recently

 

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* Cholera and dystentry outbreak in Kibaale

* Two dead, 14 admitted

* The same district where Ebola struck

By Ismael Kasooha

Residents of Kibaale district will not live settled lives yet even after the deadly Ebola virus was last week declared contained in the area. Now it is a double strike of cholera and dysentery in the same district.

Already, two people have succumbed to the cholera outbreak on the shores of Lake Albert in the western district of the country.

The dead have been identified as Aduba Kabaja, 42, a resident of Kitebere landing site and Peter Kasanga, 50, a resident of Songalawo landing site in Ndaiga sub-county.

Dr. Dana Kyamanywa, the district health officer said that the duo died on the August 13 and August 16 respectively.

"It has been confirmed that it is cholera and we have already set up an isolation unit to treat patients at Ndaiga health centre II at the lake shores," said Kyamanywa.

The two middle-aged men both died at their homes before they could report to the health centre.

So far 14 people are currently admitted at the Cholera Isolation Centre at Ndaiga health centre II in Ndaiga sub-county.

But Dr. Jackson Amony, who is currently the national coordinator of the Ebola taskforce said the isolation centre does not meet the standards of an isolation unit which poses danger in the area.

"The problem is aggravated by the mobility of the communities living on the lake shores and sanitation is very poor and there are no toilets," he explained.

“The air smells of faecal matter as one arrives at the fishing villages, which poses higher health risks.”

He said that although Intravenous-IV fluids have been supplied, there are no treatment guidelines and no attendants at the isolation centre which has only one government health worker.

"These people lack protective gear and are not facilitated," Dr. Amony said.

Kibaale district health officer, Dr. Dan Kyamanywa said they have already dispatched some drugs and other necessities to contain the situation.

He appealed to the public to maintain high levels of hygiene and sanitation to prevent contracting cholera.

Caution!

Medical theory suggests that cholera is spread through eating foods and drinks contaminated with human faeces.

The public has been cautioned to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating food, eat food when it is still hot, avoid eating foods and drinks sold at the roadside and ensure that human waste is properly disposed of in the latrine.

A person can also take Erythromycin tabs every six hours as a preventive measure, especially for those staying in high-risk areas.

Meanwhile the outbreak of dysentery also has been confirmed in Kijonjomi village, Kyanaisoke sub-county in Kibaale district.

Eighat people have been hospitalized with dysentery but have not been brought to the hospital.

The revelation was made by Dr. Kyamanywa during the Ebola coordination meeting at Kagadi hospital on Sunday.

He said that dysentery was reported some two days back by residents who had suspected it for were Ebola.

The medics have decided to do Syndromic treatment for the dysentery outbreak.

Caution, again!

Dysentery is characterized by abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Experts say that dysentery is caused by contaminated water drawn from unprotected water sources.

They have already trained village health teams in the affected village for a follow-up to manage the outbreak.  http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634387-Two-dead-as-cholera--dysentery-hit-Kibaale.html

#Ebola kills 3 health care workers in DR Congo, raising death toll to 9

 

   

KINSHASA, DR CONGO (BNO NEWS) -- Three health care workers in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are believed to have died from Ebola, raising the number of fatalities from the outbreak to at least nine, local and international health authorities said on Tuesday.
The Congolese Ministry of Health said it is aware of at least fifteen suspected Ebola cases, including nine fatal cases. The initial death toll given on Friday was risen to nine after three health care workers died in the town of Isiro, located in the province of Orientale which borders the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north and Uganda to the east.
In addition to the nine deaths in Isiro, three other suspected Ebola cases have also been reported in the town. Two suspected cases have further been reported in Pawa, about 42 kilometers (26 miles) south of Isiro, and one fatal case has been reported in Dungu, some 139 kilometers (86 miles) northeast of Isiro.
Last week, three samples from two of the victims were taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in the Ugandan city of Entebbe where they tested positive for the Bundibugyo species of the deadly Ebola virus. The first case was reported on August 1 and some experts have expressed concern that the disease may spread because the towns are remote but busy and the country's health system is poor.
http://wireupdate.com/ebola-kills-3-health-care-workers-in-dr-congo-raising-death-toll-to-9.html

VOA -DRC Confirms Ebola Outbreak

21, 2012

KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo DRC has confirmed an outbreak of Ebola fever in the northeast of the country. The announcement follows confirmation of an outbreak of the incurable disease in Uganda last month.

DRC Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi confirmed the Ebola outbreak in the Orientale Province.

Kabange says they had been monitoring several suspected cases of Ebola in Isiro in Haut Uele district in the past few weeks. Several blood samples tested positive and, in one case, the virus has been identified as so-called Bundibugyo Ebola - a strain of the disease associated with Uganda’s outbreak.

The health minister says a 15 cases have been identified in Isiro, a town of some 200,000 people in north eastern Congo, about 250 kilometers from the Ugandan border. Nine people have died and another 88 have been identified as having had exposure to those with Ebola.

The minister says those cases are being monitored and they are isolated in their homes, for now. He says an infected person’s disease is not contagious until the person shows symptoms and only then would they consider quarantine.

Officials in Kinshasa are concerned that health workers in Isiro may refuse to admit people showing Ebola symptoms to clinics or hospitals for fear of being infected. It is believed that at least one of the 15 presumed Ebola victims was a nurse.

The health minister says protective clothing is being sent to health workers in Isiro and that people leaving the town will be screened at the airport and at other exit points.

He says the authorities have informed the airport of the symptoms of Ebola and anyone suspected of having the virus will not be allowed to board a plane, but will be examined by a team of doctors.

Symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, intense tiredness, muscular pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains and difficulties in breathing or swallowing.

A team to coordinate response to the disease has been set up in Isiro. International health groups participating include Doctors Without Borders and the U,S. Centers for Disease Control.  http://www.voanews.com/content/Ebola-drc-outbreak/1492233.html

EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (05): (ORIENTALE) WHO

Date: Tue 21 Aug 2012
Source: WHO Global Alert and Response (GAR), Disease Outbreak News [edited]
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_08_21/en/index.html


Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - update
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As of Mon 20 Aug 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths have been reported in Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including 3 health care workers who have died; 2 cases and one death in Pawa; and one fatal case in Dungu.

The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) Suisse, MSF Belgique, and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.

A joint MoH, WHO, and MSF emergency response team is in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and support case management. Control activities that are being carried out include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization, and reinforcing infection control practices.

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. An additional team of epidemiologists, a logistician, an anthropologist, and social mobilization officers is being mobilized from the DRC, Republic of Congo, the WHO AFRO regional rapid response team, WHO Inter-Country Support team (IST) based in Gabon, and WHO HQ, for possible deployment in the field.

WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Marianne Hopp

[This new WHO report raises the number of cases from 10 on 17 Aug 2012 to 15 on 20 Aug 2012, and the number of fatalities from 9 to 10. A 3rd health zone, Pawa, is involved now in addition to the Isiro and Dungu Health Zones. These 3 health zones are located in the Orientale Province of eastern DRC.

Of the 15 cases, 2 have been confirmed as cases of infection by the Bundibugyo strain of ebolavirus. In contrast the outbreak of Ebola fever in an adjacent region of Uganda has been a result of infection by the Sudan strain of ebolavirus. The almost simultaneous outbreaks of ebolavirus infection in close proximity, caused by different strains of the virus, suggests that climatic or environmental factors may be playing a role. Further information is awaited.

N.B. "Ebola virus disease" has been substituted for "Ebola hemorrhagic fever" in the thread name in response to an observation from a correspondent that the ebolavirus fever is rarely hemorrhagic.

A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-republic-of-congo/democratic-republic-of-congo-political-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/35-r. - 

Nine dead as Ebola spreads in DR Congo

 

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© MSF — Hospital of Kagadi, in Western Uganda, where MSF launched an emergency intervention against an Ebola outbreak at the end of July 2012

The deadly Ebola Virus has killed at least nine people including three health care workers in the eastern part of the Democratic republic of Congo, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO says at least 15 cases of the disease have been reported in Isiro, Pawa and Dungu regions of Province Orientale in Eastern DR Congo.
Glenn Thomas from WHO says efforts are underway to establish if the Ebola outbreak in Eastern DR Congo is linked to the outbreak in Uganda which has killed 16 people.
"There are 12 cases and eight deaths in Isiro including three health workers who have died, two cases and no deaths in Pawa and one fatal case in Dungu. The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a national task force and is working with several partners including WHO, MSF Swiss, MSF Belgique and the CDC. Similar task force have been set up and established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response to this latest outbreak. At the moment WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions be applied to DR Congo."  http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2012/08/nine-dead-as-ebola-spreads-in-dr-congo/

Livestock health risk to billions revealed

 

Tuesday August 21 2012

A new report reveals that just 13 diseases or infections that are transmitted from animals to humans, such as tuberculosis, avian flu and Rift Valley fever, are responsible for around 2.4 billion cases of human illness and 2.2 million deaths per year.
The study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) shows that most of the victims are in low and middle-income countries. In the least developed countries some 20% of human sickness and death is due to zoonotic disease that had recently jumped species from animals to people.

http://www.agra-net.com/portal2/home.jsp?template=newsarticle&artid=20017983355&pubid=ag002

Russia bans poultry from Dutch bird flu area

 

Tuesday August 21 2012

Russia has announced temporary restrictions on poultry imports from the Dutch province of Utrecht following an outbreak of low pathogenic avian flu.
The ban applies to live poultry, hatching eggs and all types of uncooked poultrymeat, along with slaughtering equipment, feed and feed additives for birds

http://www.agra-net.com/portal2/home.jsp?template=newsarticle&artid=20017983363&pubid=ag002

Close pig barns at fairs, U.S. expert says, amid swine flu fears

 

08/21/2012 | Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press

Enclosures in the Swine Barn stand empty after all except the champion pigs were cleared from the building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Aug. 7, 2012. AP/The Indianapolis Star, Chet Strange

 

It's been found in pigs and-or people in more than 10 U.S. states and counting. In less than a month, more than 200 people — most young children — have been infected by an unwanted visitor to many of the state and county fairs that are held at this time of year.

A new swine flu virus is infecting a growing number of people in the United States. But the official response to this outbreak is substantially different from the one that greeted the swine H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009.
Public health authorities, perhaps still stinging from criticism of the response to the H1N1 pandemic, are struggling to strike the right note with this virus, which so far doesn't seem to be spreading from person to person. But is their low-key strategy the right one to take?

One prominent flu expert is questioning the approach, which has largely focused on encouraging people not to eat or drink while touring pig barns at fairs and to wash their hands after visiting these exhibits.

Michael Osterholm suggests it's too soon to conclude that this new virus is going to be a mere nuisance or just another weird chapter in the ever-perplexing saga of influenza viruses.

And he says it's time to take what likely would be a very unpopular step — tell organizers that this year, pigs should stay home from the fair.
"I'm convinced that wherever you have pigs and fairs right now you're seeing this transmission —at least in North America," says Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, and of the Minnesota Center for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance.

"These pigs shouldn't be at the fairs."

The virus, an influenza A of the H3N2 family and a distant cousin of human viruses of the same name, was first spotted in humans ...  http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/life/health/article/220679--close-pig-barns-at-fairs-u-s-expert-says-amid-swine-flu-fears

Swine Flu Case Reported Days Before State Fair

video

August 21, 2012 7:26 AM

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Just a couple days out from the start of the Minnesota State Fair, officials have a confirmed case of the swine flu in the state.
The new strain is called H3N2v, and people usually get this flu from pigs, not from other people. About 1,000 pigs are scheduled to arrive at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in the next couple days.
State health officials said they had a feeling a few cases might happen in Minnesota. That’s because there have been more than 200 cases in eight other states this summer, mainly at other fairs in the Midwest.
A lot of kids show their pigs at the Minnesota State Fair, and this new swine flu that’s in Minnesota was found ..
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/08/21/swine-flu-case-reported-days-before-state-fair/

Deadly Ebola virus strikes Congo-CNN video

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=cnni#/video/world/2012/08/21/intv-congo-ebola-outbreak-bazira.cnn?eref=edition

Zambian government putting measures in place to prevent Ebola virus entering the country

August 21, 2012 | By Gloria   

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Zambia’s Ministry of Health says it is taking measures to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering Zambia.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Kamoto Mbewe says the government is currently sensitizing people around the boarder areas on Ebola symptoms and how the disease can be prevented.

Dr. Mbewe says the Ministry is also orienting its staff on how it can easily identify the disease if one presents themselves with the symptoms.

According to Dr. Mbewe isolation places have already been made ready for any outbreaks in some provinces in the country.

At least one person has died after an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say.

The death is one of two cases of the virus discovered in the town of Isiro.

Medical charity workers say they are attempting to find and isolate anyone who has been in contact with those infected by the virus.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says the strain is not the same as the kind found recently in neighbouring Uganda...

  http://flavafm.co.zm/2012/08/21/zambian-government-putting-measures-in-place-to-prevent-ebola-virus-entering-the-country/

Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (update 20 August 2012)

hattip Dutchy

20 August 2012 - On 17 August 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Province Orientale in Eastern DRC.

As of 20 August 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths had been reported. The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 2 cases and no deaths in Pawa; and 1 fatal case in Dungu.
The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Suisse, MSF Belgique and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.

A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team is in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and support case management. Control activities that are being carried out include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization, and reinforcing infection control practices.

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. An additional team of epidemiologists, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilization officers is being mobilized from the DRC, Republic of Congo, the WHO AFRO regional rapid response team, WHO Inter-Country Support team (IST) based in Gabon, and WHO HQ, for possible deployment in the field.

WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo. 
http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/dpc/epidemic-a-pandemic-alert-and-response/outbreak-news/3665-ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-update-20-august-2012.html

Some parts of the province Oriental affected by haemorrhagic fever Ebola- 7 dead 116 under watch

7 dead 116 under watch
3 of the dead are nurses
Kinshasa, 20/08 (ACP). - Isiro, chief town of the district of Haut-Uele territory of Dungu and Dakwa locality in the same district, Orientale province, are affected by haemorrhagic fever Ebola, announced the Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi, during a press conference he hosted Friday in the conference room of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to Kinshasa.
Mr. Kabange said that it is a fever for ten days unidentified been recorded in this province, and after monitoring cases in the territory of Dungu and Isiro, eight samples have been made so far . Among the cases collected there Dungu with two (2) cases reported negative 3 cases presented with Isiro and four samples, 2 of which are positive.
This is a woman whose removal took place August 12, 2012 and died August 13, 2012 Ebola Bundibugyo strain and a man, the result of sampling aware of this months is positive strain not known. This man is alive but his wife died. It was the head of nursing. Two nurses also died.

 12 cases of haemorrhagic fever Ebola including 7 deaths were previously recorded in this province, namely: 1 case, 1 death with 100% fatality rate and 3 contacts in Dungu, 8 cases including 3 deaths with 37 , 5% fatality rate and 44 contacts in monitoring and observation Isiro and 3 cases with 3 deaths with 100% fatality rate and 32 follow-up contacts in the area of ​​health Viagana.  http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acpcongo.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D11207%3Aquelques-contrees-de-la-province-orientale-touchees-par-la-fievre-hemorragique-a-virus-debola%26catid%3D41%3Asante%26Itemid%3D62&anno=2

Ebola Scare: Uganda screens Travellers at Border Points

Aug 20, 2012 by ntvuganda

http://www.ntvuganda.co.ug/
According to A World Health Organisation report from the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo, six people have died of Ebola in the Country. The report comes at a time when Uganda in a space of a month has lost 16 people due to the deadLy ebola haemorrhagic fever. Samples sent to Uganda from Congo indicate that the Ebola strain is the Bundibugyo type which killed 37 people in Uganda 2007. Uganda's Ministry of Health affirms that it is more than ready to deal with this strain if it were to enter into the country. At all border points experts have been put in place to screen anyone entering the country from DRC.

Ebola: MSF (Belgium) strengthens its team in the north-eastern DR Congo

 . KINSHASA - Doctors Without Borders (MSF-Belgium) strengthens its intervention Isiro in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever has begun.

  Three people arrived Monday and five more are expected on Tuesday to help teams of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Department of Health, told AFP Weggheleire of Anga, medical coordinator for MSF Belgium .

The virus activity in this region is different from that which affected neighboring Uganda, according to the same source.  . DRC is struck by the virus less virulent Bundibungyo-theoretically-, while in Uganda it was a strain that has plagued Sudan, said Madame de Weggleheire.

The alert was launched 10 days ago and after thorough examination, WHO confirmed Saturday that the epidemic has infected a dozen people killed and about ten others.

  The epidemic extends Isiro, a city of about 200,000 inhabitants to neighboring communities as Viadana, Dungu and Pahoua.

  Most importantly, the coordinator explained, is to identify the suspects and followed them for three weeks.  According to her, the repetition of such an epidemic could be explained by the presence of a natural reservoir of the virus. 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.romandie.com%2Fnews%2Fn%2F_Fievre_Ebola_MSF_Belgique_renforce_son_equipe_dans_le_nord_est_de_la_RD_Congo52200820121905.asp

South Sudan Border Closed Following Ebola Outbreak in DRC

The Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State Sapana Abuyi has ordered for the closure of the border between Western Equatoria State and Democratic Republic of Congo following reports of Ebola disease outbreak in Dungu and Isiro Provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo.

20 August 2012

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) staffs attend an Ebola patient inside an isolation ward in Bundibugyo December 12, 2007 in this picture released by MSF.(Reuters/Claude Mahoudeau/MSF/Handout)

By Joseph Nashion
YAMBIO, 20 August 2012 [Gurtong] - Reports indicate that at least one person has died after an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The governor issued an order yesterday barring travellers from moving between the two countries in a preventive move aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly disease.
“Any person presently at the boarder should refrain from direct body contacts and hand-shaking with anybody from across the border in DRC,” says the order signed by the Acting Governor.
The security agents have been instructed not to allow the movements of people as the market places at the border remain closed.
All state institutions, departments and travellers between the two countries have been urged to strictly adhere to the order.
“All health personnel in the state are ordered to be on high alert and monitor the situation,” says Abuyi.
The South Sudan government had in July issued an Ebola alert following the disease outbreak in Uganda.

South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo share a lot in terms of population movements and trade. As a result people moving from one place to other could spread the disease.
A total of 36 cases with 16 deaths have been recorded in Uganda since July. Two of them are health workers.
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.
Ebola can be spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like saliva, blood, stool, vomit, urine, vaginal secretions 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.
A person can get it by getting in touch with a dead body of a person who has died of the disease.
There is neither cure nor treatment, but some infected people have recovered from the disease.  http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/7574/South-Sudan-Border-Closed-Following-Ebola-Outbreak-in-DRC.aspx

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Emergency Message to U.S.Citizens Suspected Cases of Ebola Virus in Orientale Province

August 17, 2012

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa informs U.S. citizens that the provincial medical inspector of Orientale Province has announced that there are suspected cases of the Ebola Virus in the towns of Isiro and Dungu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has laboratory confirmation of two cases. The Ebola Virus is one of the hemorrhagic fever illnesses. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, and handling or washing of infected corpses or through contact with objects that have been in contact with infected secretions. Avoid consumption of meat derived from primates. If you have any concerns, you should contact your healthcare provider.
For further information, please visit the following CDC websites and monitor www.cdc.gov for updates:

• Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Resources
• Guidance for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
• Ebola Questions and Answers

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa web site. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your fingertips. If you don't have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
If you are going to live in or travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, tel. +243-081-225-5872 (Do not dial the zero when calling from abroad). The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached at tel. +243-081-884-6859 or +243-081-884-4609 and is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call 081-556-0151 and ask to speak with the duty officer.

 http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/wm081712.html

Ministry of health says there are only two Ebola patients in the country

The Ministry of Health says there are only 2 confirmed victims of Ebola and one suspect being treated in the country.
The 3 are admitted at the isolation facility at Kagadi Government Hospital, Kibaale District.
The ministry’s public relations officer Rukia Nakamatte says one of the patients is badly off and is not responding to treatment, while the second one is improving.
Nakamatte adds that all the patients who were discharged are being monitored and counseled to ensure smooth reintegration into society.
She is appealing to the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of Ebola.
http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/ministry-of-health-says-there-are-only-two-ebola-patients-in-the-country/26858.aspx

Kibaale grapples with fresh cholera outbreak after Ebola

 August 21 2012 at 01:00

Kibaale is battling a fresh outbreak of cholera that has so far claimed two lives, just weeks after the deadly Ebola hit the mid-western district.

Dr Dan Kyamanywa, the district health officer, said they are planning to hold joint hygiene and sanitation campaigns with health workers and volunteers of Uganda Red Cross. He said cholera has been a recurrent problem along the Lake Albert shores which is mainly attributed to the disposal of waste in the lake by the fishing communities. “It is embarrassing because these people lack latrines and they defecate in the waters of Lake Albert [which they] consume,” said Dr Kyamanywa.

Cholera has been confirmed in Ndaiga Sub-county. On Saturday, eight people were confirmed to have contracted the disease, two of which died. “At the time our health workers reached the shores, most of the patients lacked fluids and drugs,” said Mr Sunday Issa, the manager Uganda Red Cross Kibaale branch.

Mr Issa said the disease is likely to spread due to the unsanitary conditions in the fishing sites of Kitebere and Ndaiga. This is the second time cholera has broken out on the Lake Albert shores this year. In May and Junem the disease claimed five lives and 20 others admitted to Mpeefu Health Centre.

The cholera outbreak comes at a time when cases of Ebola are being reported across the border in the DR Congo according to humanitarian health NGO, Medicens Sans Frontiers MDF. Two ebola deaths have been reported.
A doctor working with MSF told Daily Monitor that they are expanding emergency response in DR Congo with special attention being paid to a village known as Ebola where the disease is said to be spreading fast.

Second outbreak
The government and partner organisations have in the last few weeks struggled to contain the Ebola Sudan strain which struck Kibaale District, claiming at least 22 lives. Two patients are still undergoing treatment at Kagadi Hospital.

Meanwhile, development partners are continuing to donate items for the fight against Ebola in Kibaale.

Over the weekend, World Vision donated assorted items, including disinfectants, worth Shs108m for patients and health workers in Kagadi Hospital. Mr Kenneth Kusemererwa, the programme manager World Vision Kibaale, said: “They have to be put to good use since we need a happy community free from diseases.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kibaale+grapples+with+fresh+cholera+outbreak+after+Ebola/-/688334/1483880/-/wmhga8z/-/index.html

DRC: a form of border control to stop the spread of Ebola virus

August 20, 2012 at 3:33

Now, every traveler must complete a form on arrival in Kinshasa in all border crossings. The National Hygiene border, former leadership 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 to collect from the traveler the symptoms of Ebola.
"This fact sheet will tell where he is going and who they should contact. On the plug, it has the destination address. In case he showed symptoms of the disease at the border, we could take her to a health center. If there are many signs that fall within the definition of cases, we will harvest samples. And if it turns out that the person is positive, can be traced to any individuals with whom she had contact. "
Indeed, the director of the National Institute of biomedical research and virologist, Dr. Muyembe has recalls that there is to date, "no drug or vaccine against Ebola virus." He said the only remedy against this disease is to break the transmission chain. And for this we must:Isolate the sick;Protect the medical team;Detect anyone in contact with patients;Follow them for 21 days to isolate and analyze their blood during fever.
Before the introduction of this sheet border, the Crisis Committee epidemics District Isiro, where cases have been detected for the current outbreak, had taken some steps 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 someone with this disease. Moreover, 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 including six deaths, according to the district medical officer of Isiro Interim Health, Dr. Jacques Gumbaluka. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi said last weekend that the disease was detected in the Dungu district in Isiro and Vianana in the Eastern Province.
"There was an alert in Bukavu in South Kivu. But the analyzes are ongoing, "said the ministerhttp://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/08/20/rdc-une-fiche-de-controle-aux-frontieres-pour-arreter-lexpansion-du-virus-debola/

Ebola death toll rises in western Uganda

DRC is gonna be bad I think. Uganda ain't over as much as they think either. Tell ya something thats a clue.. USUALLY the embassies of the affected country, always make a statement or update or warden message. The U.S. Embassy at Kinkasha has yet to do so, even though we have known about it more than a week.This is very unusual in my book and tells me something is funny .  Here is a late story of mixed info, dated today that says Uganda has 22 dead

 

 

 Ebola death toll rises in western Uganda

August 2, 2012

By Ismael Kasooh
Two more people have died of Ebola in Kibaale district, mid western Uganda taking the official death total to 16, with 19 more suspected of having the disease.
The deceased have been identified as Nicholas Asingwire, a resident of Kenga village in Kagadi Sub County and Frediano Nsabimaana, a resident of Nyamugusa village in Bwamiramira Sub County.
Dr. Dan Kyamanywa, the district health officer in Kibaale, said the two men died in the communities but were buried by the Ebola burial experts.
Dr. Kyamanywa said that the official death toll is now 16 but the community puts the death toll at 20 as four deaths were not recorded by the local health team as they occurred in the sub counties of Bwikara and Bwamiramira.
Dr. Kyamanywa confirmed that samples from the 19 patients have been sent to Kampala for testing. He said that these patients come from the sub counties of Nyamarunda, Burora, Bwamiramira, Kyaterekera, Muhorro and Kagadi town councils.
“The number of patients has gone up and we hope more will come in as more awareness is done,” said Dr. Kyamanywa.
Some patients gave an interview to the New Vision newspaper at a distance. They said that they are suffering in the isolation centre without food and water.
The newspaper reports one as saying: “We are here suffering without food and drinking water it’s good that you have come.”
The district health officer said that they are trying to look for money to feed the patients.
“It’s true that we don’t have money to feed these patients but we are making arrangements to get money and buy food for them,” said Dr. Kyamanywa.
But Dr. Kyamanywa said that Medicines Sans Frontires-MSF has donated plampenats (packed foods) ready for eating but the patients have refused to eat them.
He said that they are also monitoring the health workers in Hoima who came for the burial of the late Claire Muhumuza, a clinical officer who was working at Kagadi hospital who died from Ebola after attending to others during the outbreak.
Kyamanywa added: “We have registered 34 health workers who were in close contact with late Muhumuza and we are monitoring for at least 21 days to see if they can develop any signs and symptoms.”
Emmanuel Ssenoga, the chief administrative officer in Kibaale, said that the district has not received any government assistance because the financial year is just starting.
“We have not received any funds from the central government even for other sectors so we have no money,” said Ssenoga.
Meanwhile the district woman Member of Parliament Robinah Nabbanja has given SHS 200,000 (£51 GDP) to help feed the patients while they wait for government assistance.
The deceased have been identified as Nicholas Asingwire 5 a resident
of Kenga village in Kagadi Sub County and Frediano Nsabimaana a
resident of Nyamugusa village in Bwamiramira Sub County.
Dr. Dan Kyamanywa the district health officer Kibaale said that these
people died in the communities but were buried by the Ebola burial
experts.
Dr. Dan said that the death toll is now 16 but the community puts the
death toll at 20.
“Our records show that now the number of people who have succumbed to
the disease is 16,” said Kyamanywa.
Some four deaths were not recorded by the health team and occurred in
the sub counties of Bwikara and Bwamiramira.
Dr. Kyamanywa said that the sample of the 19 patients have been sent
to Kampala for confirmation.
He said that these patients were collected from the sub counties of
Nyamarunda, Burora, Bwamiramira, Kyaterekera, Muhorro and Kagadi town
councils.
“The number of patients has gone up and we hope more will come in as
more awareness is done,” said Dr. Kyamanywa.
The patients who talked to the New Vision at a distance said that they
are suffering in the isolation centre without food and water.
“We are here suffering without food and drinking water it’s good that
you have come,” the patients shouted.
The district health officer said that they are trying to look for
money to feed the patients but in actual sense there is no money.
“It’s true that we don’t have money to feed these patients but we are
making arrangements to get money and buy food for them,” said Dr.
Kyamanywa.
But Dr. Kyamanywa said that Medicines Sans Frontires-MSF has donated
plampenats (packed foods) ready for eating but the patients have
refused to eat them.
“We have these ready foods in store but patients have refused eat
them,” said Kyamanywa.
He said that they are also monitoring the health worker in Hoima who
came for the burial of late Claire Muhumuza a clinical officer who was
working at Kagadi hospital.
Meanwhile Kyamanywa said that they have registered all health workers
who came into contact with late Claire Muhumuza and being monitored.
“We have registered 34 health workers who were in close contact with
late Muhumuza and we are monitoring for at least 21 days to see if
they can develop any signs and symptoms,” said Kyamanywa.
The chief administrative officer Kibaale Emmanuel Ssenoga when
contacted said that the district has not received any funds from the
centre because the financial year is just starting.
“We have not received any funds from the central government even for
other sectors so we have no money,” said Ssenoga.
Meanwhile the district woman Member of Parliament Robinah Nabbanja has
given shs.200,000 to help in feeding the patients as they wait for
government.  http://www.keycorrespondents.org/2012/08/02/ebola-death-toll-rises-in-western-uganda/

After Uganda, Congo

After Uganda, Congo.

The Ebola epidemic that broke out in July 2012 in the neighboring country killing 16 people has now spread to the eastern DRC in Eastern Province.

The Health Minister, Felix Kabange Numbi, announced that the 12 cases reported seven deaths were recorded in the region concerned.

Only defense against the virus, the strict hygiene measures to avoid contamination:

The official asked Congolese to avoid contact with any animal found dead in the forest or eating his flesh.  http://www.slateafrique.com/93089/rdc-ebola-le-retour-province-orientale

Ebola: Uganda sends medical team to Congo

Publish Date: Aug 20, 2012

 

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• 
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By Anne Mugisa And Ismael Kasooha
The Ministry of Health will send health experts to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help them combat an outbreak of the deadly Ebola haemorrhagic fever there.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, said this was intended to prevent the disease from spilling over into Uganda, which is emerging from another Ebola epidemic.
By yesterday, reports indicated that one person had died of Ebola and three others were infected in northeastern Congo.
The outbreak is in Isiro, a busy town in the DRC’s Oriental province which shares a border with Uganda.
“We are just coming out of battling Ebola. We have to take all measures, including the possibility of sending a team there to help them stop it and ensuring that it does not spill over here,” Lukwago said yesterday.
“We usually co-operate with our neighbours as well as the international organisations when such outbreaks happen,” he added.
Experts say that the Ebola virus strain in the DRC outbreak is different from the one that Uganda has been battling over the past four weeks. They say there is no connection between the two strains of the disease whose mortality rates can go as high as 90%.
According to the experts, Congo’s health system is permanently stretched which could make preventing the disease from spreading from the town, a provincial transit point, a challenge.
Meanwhile, over 287 people who have been under surveillance after having been in contact with the victims of deadly disease have completed 21 without developing signs of the disease. The 21 days is the window period during which the symptoms of the disease appear after infection.  http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634322-ebola-uganda-sends-medical-team-to-congo.html

DRC-86 contacts under surveiliance for ebola

Monday, August 20, 2012

  DRC: a strain of Ebola kills nine people After Uganda in early July, is now the DRC which is affected by an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever.

Eleven cases "probable or confirmed" were identified in the town of Isiro in the northeast of the country. Of these, nine deaths have been reported.  Several teams of the Ministry of Public Health, WHO and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are working on site. The virus strain identified is less deadly than other known strains, but remains very dangerous.

Anja De Weggheleire

 Medical coordinator for MSF Belgium in DRC

  86 cases of contact (virus) have been identified and that we should follow. On ne les a pas encore tous vus. It has not yet seen them all. And suspected cases, there is still work that is underway by the field teams to make a definitive list.
 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.rfi.fr%2Fafrique%2F20120820-rdc-neuf-morts-virus-ebola-msf-belgique-ouganda-oms-epid%25C3%25A9mie-%3Fns_campaign%3Dgoogle_choix_redactions%26ns_mchannel%3Deditors_picks%26ns_source%3Dgoogle_actualite%26ns_linkname%3Dafrique.20120820-rdc-neuf-morts-virus-ebola-msf-belgique-ouganda-oms-epid%25C3%25A9mie-%26ns_fee%3D0

DRC Ebola blamed on an antelope

 Monday, August 20, 2012

 "The DRC is now affected by an outbreak of Ebola virus, the first strain identified is bundi budio" is the statement by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi to the press on Friday August 17, 2012 in the meeting room of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

  This epidemic has been reported in the Eastern Province precisely in Dungu, Viadana and Isiro. . In these three jurisdictions has already recorded 12 confirmed cases including 7 deaths: In Dungu, there was 1 death; Isiro, 3 deaths and Viadana, 3 deaths. The current outbreak of Ebola in the Eastern Province is part of a hunter who dépiécé an antelope found dead in the forest. ..

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.lobservateur.cd%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D7964%3Aministre-de-la-sante-publique-la-fievre-hemorragique-debola-signalee-dans-la-province-orientale%26catid%3D47%3Anation%26Itemid%3D49

First case of influenza A (H3N2) variant detected in Michigan

Sunday, August 19, 2012 10:32 am

The Michigan Department of Community Health this week announced that the first case of variant H3N2 influenza infection in Michigan has been reported in a Washtenaw County child.
State laboratory results indicate the child has tested positive for influenza A (H3N2) variant, or H3N2v. The child, who had recent exposure to swine at the Ingham County Fair, experienced mild illness and was not hospitalized. The state laboratory results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing. MDCH is working with local health departments to identify any other potential cases.

“While this strain of flu is new to Michigan, it’s important that people remember the common-sense, simple steps that can be taken to protect their health as we would with any flu season,” said Dr. Dean Sienko, interim chief medical executive of the MDCH.
“This is not a food safety issue as influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get influenza from eating pork or pork products,” said Dr. Nancy Frank, assistant state veternarian for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Michigan joins the national investigation of recent H3N2v ..

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_24c639ae-e9a6-11e1-a757-0019bb2963f4.html

Kenya Issues Ebola Virus Alert

August 19, 2012.
Information gathered from Kenya News Agency states that in order to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading into Kenya, a 24 hour screening of travelers from Uganda is now in effect.
According to Kenya News Agency, a 24 hour screening of travellers from Uganda at the frontier office at Malaba border post has been ordered as a measure to check Ebola spreading into Kenya.
Speaking on behalf of Teso North District Disease Surveillance and Response Committee, the Medical Officer of Health Dr. Melisa Lutomia informed the press that the number of medical staff attached to the frontier office has been increased to enable them operate in shifts during the day and night.  http://www.informafrica.com/health-africa/breaking-news-africa-kenya-issues-ebola-virus-alert/

* Quang Binh People's Committee has decided to publish all H5N1 bird flu in two districts of Le Thuy and Quang Ninh.

* Quang Binh People's Committee has decided to publish all H5N1 bird flu in two districts of Le Thuy and Quang Ninh. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=vi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thanhnien.com.vn%2Fpages%2F20120819%2Ftin-van-ngay-19-8-2012.aspx

14 cases of Ebola in DRC

DR Congo: Ebola outbreak confirmed in the Eastern Province
Sunday, August 19, 2012

 (Xinhua) - At least 14 cases of Ebola virus, including seven deaths, were recorded in the Eastern Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), confirmed Saturday Felix Kabange Numbi, the Congolese Minister of Public Health .

 "In a few days we will find preventive measures and the spread of this epidemic will be stopped," he reassured. [link to www.afriscoop.net]

EBOLA FEVER - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (03): (ORIENTALE) BUNDIBUGYO VIRUS CONFIRMED

[Laboratory investigations conducted at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda, have established the causative agent to be the ebolavirus species Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). Consequently the outbreaks presently occurring in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are likely to be independent events. The Ugandan outbreak is caused by the ebolavirus species Sudan virus and the DRC outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus (originally identified in an earlier outbreak occurring in Uganda). Further information is awaited.



A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at

http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-republic-of-congo/democratic-republic-of-congo-political-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/008z.

Resurgence of Ebola in DRC

Resurgence of Ebola in DRC
August 18, 2012

Twelve cases including seven deaths victims of the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been recorded in the Eastern Province. This was said Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi Friday evening before the press. "The Ebola virus is present in Gungu, Isiro, and to Vianaga Boundi Boudjo, we are here in the Eastern Province," said Felix Kabange...

.... "The Angolan government has ordered the suspension of migratory movements in its north-eastern border," to prevent individuals and diamond smugglers are carrying the virus, citing wrote Angop Health Minister Jose Van-Dúnem. It has also strengthened information campaign on how to prevent the spread of the virus and the epidemiological surveillance of the area...

....Beyond the technical equipment in the laboratories of the WHO, UNICEF, Cdi Atlanta, the Congolese government has allocated about 136 million Franc Congolais pour a strong awareness campaign to reach the mass extension of the epidemic throughout the Congolese territory, "informed the Minister of Public Health.
http://www.sangordc.org/?p=1088

Twelve cases including seven deaths

Twelve cases including seven deaths. Such is the toll from the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been recorded in the Eastern Province. This was said Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi Friday evening before the press. "The Ebola virus is present in Gungu, Isiro, to Vianaga Budjo and Bundi, we are here in the Eastern Province" said Felix Kabange. He invited all Congolese and other foreigners living in the Democratic Republic of Congo strict measures of individual and collective hygiene...  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%2Fsangordc.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F08%2Freapparition-de-la-fievre-hemorragique.html

Swine flu cases found in Maryland

Strain traveling the country comes to Maryland

August 17, 2012
Six Queen Anne's County residents have been diagnosed with a strain of swine flu that has been infecting people across the country, including many who have been attending state and local agricultural fairs, according to state health officials.

There have been 224 cases identified nationally by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state agricultural officials confirmed that the five children and one adult in Maryland from different families all came in contact with pigs at the Queen Anne's County fair as well as other locations...Officials say only rarely has the virus been transmitted from person to person.
The findings are preliminary and the H3N2v strain will be confirmed by additional testing, said officials at the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Those infected have not become seriously ill or hospitalized, but they do have common influenza symptoms...
[link to www.baltimoresun.com]

Isiro: the crisis committee epidemics moves against Ebola

  Last Update August 18, 2012 at 7:14

Isiro met this Saturday, August 18, the Crisis Committee epidemics Isiro District in Eastern Province has taken measures to restrict the spread of Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The population should not shake hands or be in contact with someone with this disease. So far, Ebola has killed six people. These latest figures revealed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health District interim, Dr. Jacques Gumbaluka, revise down those Friday who reported seven deaths.
Declared epidemic in DRC Friday, August 17, the Ebola haemorrhagic fever has killed six of the ten suspects registered. For now, few patients are in isolation and other supervision, as stated by the Chief Medical Officer of Health District ad interim:
"Currently, we have two patients in isolation, etquarante-four "44"contacts under surveillance. Of these suspects, there are eleven health professionals and thirty-three family members of suspected cases. " While these patients are followed, the crisis committee epidemics Isiro District in Eastern Province has taken measures at the community level:
■ do not shake hands;
■ Do not touch any animal found dead in the forest;
■ Do not handle the meat;
■ Do not touch unprotected vomit, blood, stool from a patient with Ebola or has been unsuccessful;
■ Do not sleep with the patient from the Ebola;
■ not be left unprotected by a patient with Ebola;
■ Do not touch or handle the clothing and other contaminated objects;
■ Do not touch and / or washing the corpses;
■ be injected under conditions of protection set by the standards in such circumstances.
On Friday, the Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi, has invited the public to observe measures of individual and collective hygiene. He recalled that to date there is no drug or vaccine to fight against this epidemic. Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Uganda has resurfaced at the beginning of July. One that has been identified in the health area is the type of Isiro "Mbudibugio".
http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/08/18/isiro-le-comite-de-crise-des-epidemies-prend-des-mesures-contre-la-fievre-debola/

47 people contacts are under surveillance IN DRC

HATTIP RONAN KELLY
Democratic Republic of the Congo (the)
The DRC confirmed cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Isiro, Capital of Upper Uele (Eastern Province).

Note for Media No. 47
The Minister of Public Health of the DRC, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi confirmed Friday, August 17, 2012 the occurrence of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Isiro, County town health district of Upper Uele, about 570 kilometers northeast of Kisangani, capital of Orientale Province.
To date, "a total of 11 probable or confirmed cases (10 to 1 in Dungu and Isiro) with 9 deaths (8 to 1 in Dungu and Isiro) have been reported," said the Minister of Health during a press conference in Kinshasa, adding that laboratory results provided by the Institute of Uganda Virus Research Entebbe (UVRI) have confi rmed two positive cases Ebola Bundibugyo strain Isiro, city of more than 200 thousand inhabitants.
Currently, 47 people contacts are under surveillance in the area of ​​health Isiro which 44 are from the village of Zambasende and 3 of the Health Zone Dungu.
Meanwhile, emergency crews mixed the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC-Atlanta) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) are working closely on site for the response to this outbreak.
"I ask all people of the DRC to take action to address this epidemic, observing the strict measures of collective and individual hygiene and avoid eating meat from animals found dead in the forest, or even touch the corpse of a dead person of viral haemorrhagic fever, "said Dr. Kabange Numbi.
"This hemorrhagic fever, a highly contagious and kills between 25 and 90% of patients," noted for its part, the WHO Representative in the DRC, Dr. Léodégal Bazira. He launched a "call to action for all partners to stop the epidemic as soon as possible".
For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Léodégal Bazira, WHO Representative in the DRC
Email: baziral@cd.afro.who.int
Mr. Eugene Kabambi, Communication, Media & Advocacy, DPR / WHO DRC
Email: kabambie@cd.afro.who. int  http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/la-rdc-confirme-des-cas-de-la-fi%C3%A8vre-h%C3%A9morragique-%C3%A0-virus-ebola-%C3%A0