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As of 20 August 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths have been reported in Province Orientale in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 2 cases and 1 death in Pawa; and 1 fatal case in Dungu.
The Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières and CDC. Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, field epidemiology, laboratory, case management, outbreak logistics, public information and social mobilization.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.
(Via WHO Global Alert and Response - accessed 22/08/12)
Advice for Travellers
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has assessed the risk for travellers and EU citizens residing in the country:
"The risk of residents and travellers becoming infected or developing the disease is extremely low, unless there has been direct contact with blood, bodily fluids of dead or living infected persons or animals. As a precautionary measure, EU citizens in DRC should avoid such contact. Travellers returning from tropical countries should always seek rapid medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache or general malaise) within three weeks after return."
(Via ECDC - accessed 23/08/12)
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
Any patient presenting with a fever (>38ºC) or history of fever in the previous 24 hours, within 21 days of visiting a region where VHFs occur; and who may been exposed to a patient or animal infected with VHF (including their blood, body fluids or tissues); should be assessed as to risk of VHF using the risk assessment algorithm in the Department of Health guidelines.
