CAPE TOWN: The deadly Ebola virus has spread from southern Guinea to the capital Conakry, the United Nations Children's Fund says.
At least 59 people were reported killed by the virus in the West African nation, where health officials say the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions.
Guinea's Ministry of Health registered almost 100 infections since the virus was first reported last month, according to Radio France Internationale. DPA
Showing posts with label March 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label March 2014. Show all posts
Monday, September 1, 2014
24 March 2014 (Primary Source) Ebola Virus Toll hits 34
CONAKRY: Guinea has identified the Ebola virus as the source of a highly contagious epidemic raging through its southern forests, as the death toll rose to 34.
Experts in the west African nation had been unable to identify the disease, whose symptoms - diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding - were first observed six weeks ago, but scientists in the French city of Lyon confirmed it was Ebola, the Guinean health ministry said. "Up to today we have identified 49 cases with 34 deaths," said Sakoba Keita, the ministry's chief disease prevention officer.
To date, no treatment or vaccine is available for Ebola, which kills between 25 per cent and 90 per cent of those who fall sick, depending on the strain of the virus, according to the World Health Organisation. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with blood, faeces or sweat, or by sexual contact.
Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said in a statement it would strengthen its team of 24 doctors, nurses, logisticians and experts in hygiene and sanitation already in Guinea.
The organisation has set up isolation units for suspected cases in the southern region of Nzerekore and is looking for people who may have had contact with the infected.
MSF said it was sending about 33 tonnes of medicines and isolation, sanitation and protective equipment from Belgium and France. Ebola was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1976 and the country has had eight outbreaks.
Experts in the west African nation had been unable to identify the disease, whose symptoms - diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding - were first observed six weeks ago, but scientists in the French city of Lyon confirmed it was Ebola, the Guinean health ministry said. "Up to today we have identified 49 cases with 34 deaths," said Sakoba Keita, the ministry's chief disease prevention officer.
To date, no treatment or vaccine is available for Ebola, which kills between 25 per cent and 90 per cent of those who fall sick, depending on the strain of the virus, according to the World Health Organisation. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with blood, faeces or sweat, or by sexual contact.
Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said in a statement it would strengthen its team of 24 doctors, nurses, logisticians and experts in hygiene and sanitation already in Guinea.
The organisation has set up isolation units for suspected cases in the southern region of Nzerekore and is looking for people who may have had contact with the infected.
MSF said it was sending about 33 tonnes of medicines and isolation, sanitation and protective equipment from Belgium and France. Ebola was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1976 and the country has had eight outbreaks.
24 March 2014 (Primary Source) Ebola the source of Guinea epidemic
Conakry: Guinea has identified the Ebola virus as the source of a highly contagious epidemic raging through its southern forests, as the death toll rose to 59 amid fears it may have spread across the border ito Sierra Leone. Experts in the west African nation had been unable to identify the disease, the symptoms of which- diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding - were first observed six weeks ago, but the Guinean Health Ministry says scientists in the French city of Lyon have confirmed it is Ebola. No treatment or vaccine is available for the disease.
22 March 2014 (Primary Source) Mystery disease wreaks havoc in Guinea
CONAKRY A MYSTERIOUS illness has killed at least 23 people in southern Guinea in six weeks, but the disease has yet to be positively identified, the health ministry announced Thursday.
"A feverish sickness whose first symptoms were observed on February 9 has claimed at least 23 lives, including that of the director of the Macenta district hospital and three staff, out of a total of 36 cases," said Sakoba Keita, the doctor in charge of the ministry's preventive wing.
"The administrative district of Gueckedou is the worst affected, with 13 deaths for 19 cases," Dr Keita added, noting that "the illness is characterised by fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and bleeding in the cases of some patients".
Medical experts have been sent to the district to try to identify the highly contagious disease, the symptoms of which are similar to those caused by Lassa fever, yellow fever and Ebola.
About 30 test samples have been sent to France for analysis, with results expected "within 48 hours", the doctor said, adding that further samples are due to be examined at the Pasteur Institute in the Senegalese capital Dakar.
Protective measures have been taken on the spot, including quarantine for each of the patients, as well as individual and collective steps affecting the local population.Three thousand health kits intended for medical personnel and residents of high-risk areas are expected from Burkina Faso, while the Swiss branch of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has already sent 100 tonnes of medical equipment.
"A feverish sickness whose first symptoms were observed on February 9 has claimed at least 23 lives, including that of the director of the Macenta district hospital and three staff, out of a total of 36 cases," said Sakoba Keita, the doctor in charge of the ministry's preventive wing.
"The administrative district of Gueckedou is the worst affected, with 13 deaths for 19 cases," Dr Keita added, noting that "the illness is characterised by fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and bleeding in the cases of some patients".
Medical experts have been sent to the district to try to identify the highly contagious disease, the symptoms of which are similar to those caused by Lassa fever, yellow fever and Ebola.
About 30 test samples have been sent to France for analysis, with results expected "within 48 hours", the doctor said, adding that further samples are due to be examined at the Pasteur Institute in the Senegalese capital Dakar.
Protective measures have been taken on the spot, including quarantine for each of the patients, as well as individual and collective steps affecting the local population.Three thousand health kits intended for medical personnel and residents of high-risk areas are expected from Burkina Faso, while the Swiss branch of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has already sent 100 tonnes of medical equipment.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
21 March 2014 (Primary Source) Épidémie de la fièvre virale hémorragique en Guinée: Déclaration du Ministre de la santé
Conakry, 21 mars 2014 – Depuis le 09 février 2014, notre pays a enregistré des cas de maladies fébriles dans certaines préfectures de la Guinée forestière et à Conakry. A ce jour, 49 cas de maladies fébriles dont 29 décès ont été recensés.
Ces cas ont été enregistrés dans les préfectures de Guéckédou, Macenta, Kissidougou et à Conakry. Cette maladie se manifeste par une poussée de fièvre, de diarrhée, des vomissements, une fatigue prononcée et parfois un saignement.
Face à cette situation, le Ministère de la Sante en collaboration avec ses partenaires a envoyé sur le terrain une mission d’investigation rapide pour déterminer la nature de cette maladie. Les premiers résultats confirment la présence d’un virus responsable des fièvres hémorragiques.
Cette maladie qui a déjà causé un nombre important de décès se transmet essentiellement d’une personne malade à une personne saine et aussi par des objets souillés appartenant à des personnes malades ou décédés. Aussi, la consommation de viande d’animaux de brousse infectés peut-elle être également une source de contamination.
CETTE SITUATION AMENE LE GOUVERNEMENT A FAIRE LA PRESENTE DECLARATION D’EPIDEMIE DE FIEVRE VIRALE HEMORRAGIQUE EN GUINEE.
En conséquence le Ministère de la Santé a pris les mesures suivantes:
LE MEDECIN COLONNEL REMY LAMAH
Transmis par le Bureau de Presse de la Présidence
Ces cas ont été enregistrés dans les préfectures de Guéckédou, Macenta, Kissidougou et à Conakry. Cette maladie se manifeste par une poussée de fièvre, de diarrhée, des vomissements, une fatigue prononcée et parfois un saignement.
Face à cette situation, le Ministère de la Sante en collaboration avec ses partenaires a envoyé sur le terrain une mission d’investigation rapide pour déterminer la nature de cette maladie. Les premiers résultats confirment la présence d’un virus responsable des fièvres hémorragiques.
Cette maladie qui a déjà causé un nombre important de décès se transmet essentiellement d’une personne malade à une personne saine et aussi par des objets souillés appartenant à des personnes malades ou décédés. Aussi, la consommation de viande d’animaux de brousse infectés peut-elle être également une source de contamination.
CETTE SITUATION AMENE LE GOUVERNEMENT A FAIRE LA PRESENTE DECLARATION D’EPIDEMIE DE FIEVRE VIRALE HEMORRAGIQUE EN GUINEE.
En conséquence le Ministère de la Santé a pris les mesures suivantes:
- Traitement gratuit de tous les malades dans les centres d’isolement,
- Information des populations sur les mesures d’hygiène individuelles et collectives,
- Responsabilisation exclusive du traitement des corps des malades décédés au personnel de santé et à la Croix rouge guinéenne pour limiter la contamination,
- Recensement de toutes les personnes qui ont eu des contacts directs avec les malades décédés et ceux présentant les signes évoqués ci-dessus,
- Diffusion des messages de sensibilisation au niveau des médias (radio, TV, internet).
Mesdames et messieurs, le Gouvernement en cette période d’épidémie invite:
- Les services de santé:
- à prendre toutes les dispositions pour informer le personnel médical sur les mesures préventives et le traitement de cette maladie
- à déclarer tout cas suspect enregistré à la Division prévention et lutte contre la maladie,
- à informer les malades et leurs familles sur les mesures d’hygiène individuelle et collective,
- aux populations :
- de garder leur sérénité car des mesures adéquates sont prises pour le contrôle de cette maladie,
- de déclarer tout cas suspect aux autorités sanitaires les plus proches,
- à la pratique des mesures d’hygiènes individuelles et collectives qui sont : l’assainissement des lieux, le lavage des mains avec le savon et le chlore ou de l’eau de javel.
Le Gouvernement exprime sa satisfaction aux partenaires pour leur soutien depuis le début de cette épidémie et saisit l’occasion pour compter sur les actions qu’ils mèneront à nos côtés pour le contrôle et l’éradication de cette maladie.
JE VOUS REMERCIE
LE MEDECIN COLONNEL REMY LAMAH
Transmis par le Bureau de Presse de la Présidence
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)