Ebola Outbreak in Congo

A suspected Ebola fever outbreak in the Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed [the lives of] at least 6 people in the last 3 weeks. 7 suspected cases of the deadly hemorrhagic fever have been reported in Isiro and Monga health zones in Orientale Province. One of the deaths was reported in Mongo health zone while 5 others occurred in Isiro Zone.

According to Dr Marrie-Josee Karani, the head of the office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Kisangani, samples from the suspects were sent to the Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa and are yet to confirm the outbreak of the deadly virus. He however says the symptoms presented by the victims are similar to those of Ebola fever and asked the population to be extra careful. He also asked the locals to desist from eating wild [animal] meat and to isolate patients who show signs of Ebola fever.

If confirmed, this will be the 2nd time that the virus has hit the area in less than a year. In November 2012 the deadly virus claimed 30 people in the territory of Isiro, Orientale Province.

The disease was later declared to have been contained at the end of November 2012 by Congolese public health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi.

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976.

The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized.

The exact origin, locations, and natural habitat (known as the "natural reservoir") of Ebola virus remain unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne)’, with 4 of the 5 subtypes occurring in an animal host native to Africa. A similar host, most likely in the Philippines, is probably associated with the Ebola-Reston subtype, which was isolated from infected monkeys that were imported to the United States and Italy from the Philippines. The virus is not known to be native to other continents, such as North America.

People can be exposed to Ebola virus from direct contact with the blood and/or secretions of an infected person. Thus, the virus is often spread through families and friends because they come in close contact with such secretions when caring for infected persons. People can also be exposed to Ebola virus through contact with objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with infected secretions.

. In African health-care facilities, patients are often cared for without the use of a mask, gown, or gloves. Exposure to the virus has occurred when health care workers treated individuals with Ebola HF without wearing these types of protective clothing. In addition, when needles or syringes are used, they may not be of the disposable type, or may not have been sterilized, but only rinsed before reinsertion into multi-use vials of medicine. If needles or syringes become contaminated with virus and are then reused, numerous people can become infected.

The incubation period for Ebola HF ranges from 2 to 21 days. The onset of illness is abrupt and is characterized by fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, and weakness, followed by diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. A rash, red eyes, hiccups and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients.

Researchers do not understand why some people are able to recover from Ebola HF and others are not. However, it is known that patients who die usually have not developed a significant immune response to the virus at the time of death.