Disease Outbreak News

2002 - Gabon

28 June 2002

Description of the situation

28 June 2002

Disease Outbreak Reported

Following the investigation by a team from the Gabonese Ministry of Health and WHO of reports of 2 deaths of suspected acute haemorrhagic fever syndrome in Zadie district, Ogooué-Ivindo Province (see previous report), the Ministry of Health has established a Comité de Coodination et de Gestion de l'Epidémie with the administrative and health authorities from Zadie district and WHO staff from the WHO sub-Regional Epidemic Response Team.   Four teams have been formed: epidemiology and surveillance, case management, hygiene and sanitation and social mobilization.  The 4 teams have provided training to local nurses' assistants, health and community workers.

Thirty contacts of the 2 suspected cases will be actively followed up and public education activities will be intensified.