Outbreak of acute respiratory syndrome

An outbreak of an acute respiratory syndrome in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has affected Bosobolo, Gbadolite, Gemena and Karawa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Thursday. Communications problems with health personnel in the field persisted, WHO reported, which meant that comprehensive surveillance data had been difficult to obtain. Preliminary results of a survey conducted by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) France and Epicentre showed, however, that 1,245 cases of the illness, including 18 deaths, had been reported in Bosobolo. The outbreak had peaked by early November, WHO reported, with all age groups affected. The highest fatality rates were found among the elderly and children less than five years old. WHO, MSF-Belgium, Memisa and FOMETRO were helping the Ministry of Health with laboratory diagnosis and provision of supplies, WHO added.