Description of the situation
20 December 2001
Disease Outbreak Reported
Of the 27 cases, 16 were detected in Gabon and 11 in the
neighbouring villages of the Republic of the Congo (see map below). As of 19
December, 133 contacts are being followed up in Gabon and 94 in the Republic of the
Congo. The international team is operational on both sides of the border and is
working closely in the field with the team from the Congolese Ministry of Health on
outbreak control interventions.
As of
19 December, 27 cases have been reported (25 confirmed cases: 8 laboratory confirmed, 17
epidemiologically linked to cases and 2 suspected cases under investigation) including 15
deaths. A total of 227 contacts (having direct or suspected contact with the blood
or other body fluids of a case) have been identified and are under active follow up.