Disease Outbreak News

1999 - South Africa

7 April 1999

Description of the situation

07 April 1999

Disease Outbreak Reported

During the last week of March, an outbreak of an unidentified haemorrhagic fever was reported from Rumbek county. The number of cases and deaths is unknown. Samples were immediately sent for testing to the National Institute for Virology in South Africa.   A team from WHO has now reached the area in order to: (1) continue the investigation of the etiology of the outbreak; (2) provide barrier nursing material and training to health care workers;  and (3) determine the need for additional on-site personnel.