Gabon & Congo Brazzaville
Ebola death toll in Gabon and Congo rises to 23

afrol News, 2 January - The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today confirmed that there so far have been 23 deaths caused Ebola haemorrhagic fever ravaging in parts of Gabon and Congo Brazzaville. 32 cases of Ebola have been confirmed so far.

- As of 1 January, 15 laboratory and 17 epidemiologically linked cases of the deadly virus have been reported, WHO said in its latest update on the disease. 

Twenty cases occurred in Gabon and 12 in the neighbouring villages of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). Of the 23 deaths, 17 were reported in Gabon and six in the Congo. An additional nine suspected cases are under investigation, the UN agency reports.

All contacts - either direct or suspected contact with the blood or other body fluids of a case - are being closely monitored for signs or symptoms of Ebola haemorrhagic fever for 21 days, according to WHO. As of Tuesday, 191 contacts were under active follow-up, WHO said. "We anticipate one or more cases may develop among these contacts," the agency added.

A WHO-led international team is operating on both sides of the border and has been working closely in the field with teams from the Ministries of Health of both countries on outbreak control interventions. To prevent the virus from spreading further, the team is also conducting community sensitisation activities.

Ebola broke out in Gabon's Ogooue-Ivindo province late last year and was afterwards detected in neighbouring Congo. The disease, which is transmitted via direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, causes death in up to 90 per cent of all cases. 

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease, which is often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, limited kidney and liver functions, and both internal and external bleeding. 

The last Ebola outbreak, earlier this year in Uganda, however showed that quick respond from health authorities and intensive treatment significantly reduced the fatality rate of the disease.

Sources: Based on WHO and afrol archives 

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