Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA25
2009-01-09 12:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
EBOLA CASES CONFIRMED IN DRC
how-toVZCZCXRO3194 RR RUEHAST RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHHM RUEHJO RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHRN RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHKI #0025/01 0091208 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 091208Z JAN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9021 INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000025
SIPDIS
HHS PASS TO CDC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON SENV TBIO PGOV CG
SUBJECT: EBOLA CASES CONFIRMED IN DRC
REF: A. 07KINSHASA 1128
B. 07KINSHASA 1121
C. 07KINSHASA 1085
D. 07KINSHASA 1094
KINSHASA 00000025 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000025
SIPDIS
HHS PASS TO CDC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON SENV TBIO PGOV CG
SUBJECT: EBOLA CASES CONFIRMED IN DRC
REF: A. 07KINSHASA 1128
B. 07KINSHASA 1121
C. 07KINSHASA 1085
D. 07KINSHASA 1094
KINSHASA 00000025 001.2 OF 002
1.(U) Summary. Ebola virus, one of the hemorrhagic fevers, has been
confirmed in the province of West Kasai, Democratic Republic of
Congo. The confirmed cases are located in the Kaluamba and Kampungu
health areas in the Mweka health zone, Western Kasai, DRC. The
Ebola outbreak in the fall of 2007 (refs A-D),which killed 187
people, was mainly located in Kampungu, while this year it is mainly
located in Kaluamba (adjacent to Kampungu in the same health zone).
The epidemiological data, as of January 5, 2009, indicates 13 deaths
have occurred, 41 suspect cases, 183 contacts to follow and 2
persons in quarantine. The first 3 specimens were confirmed by a
South African lab. The first meeting at the central level to
announce this outbreak suspicion was held on December 18, 2008 and
meetings are currently being held on a daily basis. Formal
assistance from the USG has not been requested. A warden message
has been posted warning Americans of this deadly outbreak. End
summary.
--------------
IT IS CONFIRMED: EBOLA
--------------
2. (U) The first case was suspected on November 27, 2008 when a
pregnant woman died of a hemorrhage after delivery in a health care
facility. The investigation found that 9 of 13 people who were in
contact with her died from clinical symptoms compatible with
hemorrhagic fever. The first 3 lab samples were confirmed as Ebola
by a South African Lab. Currently, 21 specimens are prepared to be
sent to a specialized lab in South Africa and 12 are to be sent to a
specialized lab in France Ville, Gabon.
--------------
GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD
--------------
3. (U) The confirmed cases are located in the Kaluamba and Kampungu
health areas in the Mweka health zone, Western Kasai, DRC. Of the 41
suspected cases, 26 are female and 15 male; these include 13
children, 25 adults and 3 with unknown ages. Geographically, 35
cases are from Kaluamba, 1 is from Mweka, 1 is from Sungi Lunene, 3
are from Kabao and 1 is from Kampungu. The Ebola outbreak in the
fall of 2007, which killed over 187 people, was mainly located in
Kampungu, while this year it is mainly located in Kaluamba (adjacent
to Kampungu in the same health zone). (Note: The full geographic
parameters of the outbreak are still not known for certain. End
Note.)
--------------
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
--------------
4. (U) The first meeting at the central level of the GDRC to
announce this outbreak suspicion was held on December 18, 2008.
Task Force meetings are currently being held on a daily basis with
participation by CDC and USAID physicians in country (however,
formal USG involvement has not yet been requested). Three
epidemiological teams have been constituted, with one actually in
the field. A team of 10 experts from the National level as well as
others from WHO/Kinshasa traveled to the field on December 31, 2008.
Instructions are being given to local teams on how to handle
suspected cases, contacts and specimen. Specimen collection kits
have been sent to local teams with instructions on specimen
collection and shipment to Kinshasa. Central epidemiologists and
senior lab technicians have been sent to the field. MSF has already
installed a center for clinical care; UNICEF has provided
communication materials to support and promote community awareness
and mobilization; and, WHO has sent two vehicles and Personal
Protection Equipment (PPE) to the field. Churches and local
organizations are involved in behavior change communication
regarding Viral Hemmoraghic Fever (VHF). Due to the close proximity
with the affected areas of the DRC, The Angolan government has
ordered the closing of the northeastern border with DRC in an
attempt to prevent the spread of the disease into the Angolan
territory.
--------------
WARDEN MESSAGE ISSUED
--------------
5. (U) A consular warden message alerting the American public in the
DRC to this epidemic and advising citizens to avoid travel to the
region has been posted to the Embassy's website as well as
transmitted through the traditional warden message system.
KINSHASA 00000025 002 OF 002
GARVELINK
SIPDIS
HHS PASS TO CDC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON SENV TBIO PGOV CG
SUBJECT: EBOLA CASES CONFIRMED IN DRC
REF: A. 07KINSHASA 1128
B. 07KINSHASA 1121
C. 07KINSHASA 1085
D. 07KINSHASA 1094
KINSHASA 00000025 001.2 OF 002
1.(U) Summary. Ebola virus, one of the hemorrhagic fevers, has been
confirmed in the province of West Kasai, Democratic Republic of
Congo. The confirmed cases are located in the Kaluamba and Kampungu
health areas in the Mweka health zone, Western Kasai, DRC. The
Ebola outbreak in the fall of 2007 (refs A-D),which killed 187
people, was mainly located in Kampungu, while this year it is mainly
located in Kaluamba (adjacent to Kampungu in the same health zone).
The epidemiological data, as of January 5, 2009, indicates 13 deaths
have occurred, 41 suspect cases, 183 contacts to follow and 2
persons in quarantine. The first 3 specimens were confirmed by a
South African lab. The first meeting at the central level to
announce this outbreak suspicion was held on December 18, 2008 and
meetings are currently being held on a daily basis. Formal
assistance from the USG has not been requested. A warden message
has been posted warning Americans of this deadly outbreak. End
summary.
--------------
IT IS CONFIRMED: EBOLA
--------------
2. (U) The first case was suspected on November 27, 2008 when a
pregnant woman died of a hemorrhage after delivery in a health care
facility. The investigation found that 9 of 13 people who were in
contact with her died from clinical symptoms compatible with
hemorrhagic fever. The first 3 lab samples were confirmed as Ebola
by a South African Lab. Currently, 21 specimens are prepared to be
sent to a specialized lab in South Africa and 12 are to be sent to a
specialized lab in France Ville, Gabon.
--------------
GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD
--------------
3. (U) The confirmed cases are located in the Kaluamba and Kampungu
health areas in the Mweka health zone, Western Kasai, DRC. Of the 41
suspected cases, 26 are female and 15 male; these include 13
children, 25 adults and 3 with unknown ages. Geographically, 35
cases are from Kaluamba, 1 is from Mweka, 1 is from Sungi Lunene, 3
are from Kabao and 1 is from Kampungu. The Ebola outbreak in the
fall of 2007, which killed over 187 people, was mainly located in
Kampungu, while this year it is mainly located in Kaluamba (adjacent
to Kampungu in the same health zone). (Note: The full geographic
parameters of the outbreak are still not known for certain. End
Note.)
--------------
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
--------------
4. (U) The first meeting at the central level of the GDRC to
announce this outbreak suspicion was held on December 18, 2008.
Task Force meetings are currently being held on a daily basis with
participation by CDC and USAID physicians in country (however,
formal USG involvement has not yet been requested). Three
epidemiological teams have been constituted, with one actually in
the field. A team of 10 experts from the National level as well as
others from WHO/Kinshasa traveled to the field on December 31, 2008.
Instructions are being given to local teams on how to handle
suspected cases, contacts and specimen. Specimen collection kits
have been sent to local teams with instructions on specimen
collection and shipment to Kinshasa. Central epidemiologists and
senior lab technicians have been sent to the field. MSF has already
installed a center for clinical care; UNICEF has provided
communication materials to support and promote community awareness
and mobilization; and, WHO has sent two vehicles and Personal
Protection Equipment (PPE) to the field. Churches and local
organizations are involved in behavior change communication
regarding Viral Hemmoraghic Fever (VHF). Due to the close proximity
with the affected areas of the DRC, The Angolan government has
ordered the closing of the northeastern border with DRC in an
attempt to prevent the spread of the disease into the Angolan
territory.
--------------
WARDEN MESSAGE ISSUED
--------------
5. (U) A consular warden message alerting the American public in the
DRC to this epidemic and advising citizens to avoid travel to the
region has been posted to the Embassy's website as well as
transmitted through the traditional warden message system.
KINSHASA 00000025 002 OF 002
GARVELINK