Ebola outbreak in Guinea: Preliminary results show ‘strong homology with Zaire Ebolavirus’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported being notified of the Ebola outbreak in forested areas south eastern Guinea by the Guinea Ministry of Health today.
According to the information obtained by the WHO, there has been a total of 49 cases including 29 deaths (case fatality ratio: 59%). Among the dead are four health care workers.
This is different than the 59 dead out of 80 cases (74 percent CFR) reported by Guinea and world media sources yesterday.
Confirmation of Ebolavirus was confirmed at Institut Pasteur in Lyon, France by PCR. According to the WHO release, “Preliminary results from sequencing of a part of the L gene has showed strong homology with Zaire Ebolavirus, additional laboratory studies are ongoing to confirm these findings.”
Reports of suspected cases in border areas of Liberia and Sierra Leone are being investigated.
The Guinea MoH has activated the national and district emergency management committees to coordinate response. The MoH has also advised the public to take measures to avert the spread of the disease and to report any suspected cases.
Médecins Sans Frontières, Switzerland (MSF-CH) is working in the affected areas and is assisting with establishment of isolation facilities, and also supported transport of the biological samples from suspect cases and contacts to international reference laboratories for urgent testing.
The Emerging and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network (EDPLN) is working with the Guinean VHF Laboratory in Donka, the Institut Pasteur in Lyon, the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, and the Kenema Lassa fever laboratory in Sierra Leone to make available appropriate Filovirus diagnostic capacity in Guinea and Sierra Leone.
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