Sudan

Suspected Ebola outbreak in South Sudan

Created: October 13, 2009 01:39 GMT
Updated: October 13, 2009 02:16 GMT

An outbreak of suspected Ebola fever has struck KitKit, a village in the West Bahr-al-Ghazal state of South Sudan. At least 20 people have died, most of them soldiers. Dozens more have symptoms, which include bleeding from the ears and nose, and vomiting blood.

Samples have been sent out for laboratory testing to determine whether Ebola is responsible for these hemorrhagic symptoms. The remoteness of the area is making it difficult for authorities to investigate. The area's infrastructure and health resources are insufficient.

Ebola was first discovered in South Sudan and the adjacent Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1976. Since then Sudan has experienced occasional outbreaks.

The Disease
Ebola is a rare, serious viral disease that infects humans and other primates. It may be transmitted to humans when they eat meat or have other contact with infected animals. Infected people can spread the disease to others, as the virus is present in body fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine.

The disease incubates for 2-21 days before symptoms develop suddenly. These include fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness. A rash may appear on the patient's chest, back and stomach. Nausea, vomiting, chest and abdominal pain, sore throat and diarrhea may develop.

By the third or fourth day of illness, the patient may begin bleeding. Increasingly severe symptoms, such as shock, massive hemorrhage and organ dysfunction, may occur. Approximately 50 to 90 percent of all infected people die. There is no vaccination against Ebola and no cure for the disease.

International SOS Comment

Business travelers have very little risk of contracting Ebola. Travelers who visit affected areas are at risk and should avoid sick people as well as wild animals, especially primates.

• Pay strict attention to hygiene.
• Avoid contact with sick people and their bodily fluids.
• Wash your hands before eating or touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Do not eat "bush meat" from gorillas, monkeys and other primates.

Health professionals who treat infected people face a substantial risk of infection, and are advised to use strict universal barrier precautions when dealing with suspected cases.

For more information :

• See "Ebola" in the "Diseases and Prevention" dropdown on International SOS Country Guides
• Contact any International SOS Alarm Center