Disease Outbreak News

2002 - Gabon

9 January 2002

Description of the situation

09 January 2002

Disease Outbreak Reported

As of 7 January 2002,  34 confirmed cases have been reported, including  25 deaths (18 in Gabon, 7 in the Republic of the Congo).  Of these 34 confirmed cases, 21 cases have been detected in Gabon and 13 in villages in the Republic of the Congo, close to the border between the two countries. There are an additional 16 suspected cases in Gabon.  

As of 7 January 2002, 231 contacts have been identified (197 contacts in Gabon, 34 in the Republic of the Congo).

The international team has temporarily relocated to Makokou because of security concerns in the Mekambo area. The team is reviewing the current situation with provincial and national authorities and is planning to return to Mekambo as soon as possible to continue efforts to contain the outbreak with local authorities.