19 May 2005: Marburg haemorrhagic fever in Angola - update 2

As of 17 May 2005 , there have been 337 cases of Marburg haemorrhagic fever, including 311 deaths, reported in Angola since the outbreak began in October 2004. The epicentre of the outbreak is focused on Uige province, northern Angola where the majority of cases (326 cases and 300 deaths) have occurred [1]. Within Uige province new cases continue to occur including some which have no proven links to previously reported cases [2]. No new cases of the disease have been reported from outside Uige province in the last five weeks.

Although the outbreak is considered to be over in the rest of Angola , surveillance is being maintained country-wide. Social mobilisation and public information campaigns in affected communities are ongoing and public awareness has improved.

There are no changes to the current travel recommendations [3]; travellers to Angola are advised to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for up to date information.

Further details on this outbreak may be found on the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/ .

References

WHO Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response. Marburg haemorrhagic fever in Angola - update 19. Geneva : World Health Organization, 18 May 2005 [online] [cited 19 May 2005 ]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_05_18a/en/index.html.

Marburg haemorrhagic fever - Angola (40). Archive number 20050517.1353. In Promed Mail [online]. Boston US: International Society for Infectious Diseases, 17 May 2005 [cited 18 May 2005 ]. Available at http://www.promedmail.org .

National Travel Health Network and Centre. Clinical update [online]. Marburg haemorrhagic fever in Angola - update [cited 18 May 2005 ]. London : NaTHNaC, 22 April 2005 Available at http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/marburg_ angola_update.htm .