Shigellosis epidemic confirmed in Ouham Pende

An epidemic of shigellosis has been confirmed in the Central African Republic, with a total of 379 cases and 23 deaths from 16 June to 29 October 2003, the World Health Organization reported on Wednesday. It said the cases were in the towns of Paoua and Bozoum, in the Ouham Pende region of northwestern CAR. The Institut Pasteur in Bangui analysed stool samples and confirmed the diagnosis of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, which WHO said was sensitive to Acid Nalidixic and Ciprofloxacine. "Medecins sans frontieres (Spain) and Coopi are supporting the Ministry of Health in containing the epidemic," WHO reported. "However, since the affected regions face important population movements as a result of the recent civil war, the control of the epidemic is not straightforward." It warned that migration of people to neighbouring Chad was also "cause for concern". According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacterium. The diarrhoea is often bloody. Shigellosis usually resolves in five to seven days. In some persons, especially young children and the elderly, the diarrhoea can be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalised. A severe infection with high fever may also be associated with seizures in children less than two years old. Some persons who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others. [For information on shigellosis, go to www.cdc.gov]