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Since epidemiological week 28, there has been an outbreak of gastroenteritis with haemorrhagic fever in Boende Health Zone, located about 300 km east of Mbandaka County town, Equator province in the north west of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The outbreak has spread to Lokolia, Watsikengo, Mondombe Ngele, Bokoto and Ikonge.
Between epidemiological week 28-30, a total of 577 cases attributed to febrile gastroenteritis have been reported, including 65 deaths. Five health professionals (1 doctor, 4 nurses) and two orderlies in affected facilities are among the fatal cases, indicating human – human transmission. At epidemiological week 33 (11-17 August 2014), 15 new cases with 5 deaths were reported by Tshuapa Health District.
WHO, representatives are in the area along with a Congolese team of experts. Four laboratory samples are to be flown from the town of Boende to the capital Kinshasa for further testing.
(Via WHO Situation Report No 01-014 21 Aug 2014 - accessed 25/08/14 (in French)
(Via Reuters - accessed 25/08/01)
The risk of travellers becoming infected or developing gastroenteritis with haemorrhagic fever is extremely low, unless there has been direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of dead or living infected persons or animals. Healthcare workers are at particular risk, although practising appropriate infection control should effectively prevent transmission of disease in this setting.
Travellers returning from tropical countries should always seek rapid medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache, diarrhoea or general malaise) within three weeks after return, and be reminded to mention to their health care provider that they have recently travelled.
