Description of the situation
29 November 2002
Disease Outbreak Reported
As of 22 November, over 4,000 cases of acute respiratory illness, including approximately 500 deaths, have been preliminarily reported since October from Bosobolo (Equateur Province), Democratic Republic of the Congo. The clinical features of the illness include rhinorrhea, headache, arthralgia and respiratory insufficiency. Laboratory confirmation of the cause of this outbreak is pending.
Access to, and communications with the affected area is difficult. Currently, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF-France), Epicentre and WHO are supporting the Ministry of Health in investigating this outbreak and providing medical services.