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	va1-sg19016.securesites.net

	version=3.1.8





WHO, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

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and Response (EPR) disease outbreak news [edited]





An outbreak of an unknown illness with a high mortality has been 

reported from the province of Kasai Occidental, in the Democratic 

Republic of the Congo. The exact number of cases and deaths is 

unknown at this time.



The clinical features in the majority of cases include fever, 

headache, diarrhoea or colicky abdominal pain, and vomiting. Over 50 

percent of cases have been in children under 10 years of age.



An investigation team from the Provincial and National Health 

Ministries, the Institut National de Recherches Biologiques (INRB), 

and WHO is in the field, and has taken clinical samples for 

laboratory testing. WHO is mobilizing support for the epidemiological 

investigation and logistics, including supplies, and water and 

sanitation and technical partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and 

Response Network (GOARN) have offered to provide support to the MoH 

(Ministry of Health) if required.



At the present time, the etiological agent is unknown, but the 

national health authorities have taken a precautionary approach and 

are implementing measures to improve hygiene, ensure the safety of 

the water supply, promote safe burial practices, and strengthen 

infection control.



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[This outbreak appears to be in the same general area as the oubreak 

attributed by the media 3 days ago to viral hemorrhagic fever or 

mention hemorrhagic symptoms, and in contrast to the other, which 

reported that only 3 /103 deaths were in children, this says 50 

percent (of an unstated number of cases and deaths) were children. - Mod.JW]



it becomes available. The identification of the etiological agent 

would be of particular interest, as well as epidemiological 

information about the outbreak, including the numbers of cases over 

time, age distribution, case fatality rates, and environmental assessment.



A map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at

- Mod. TY]



........................................ty/mj/jw