US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA852

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000852 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C 
 
Department Please Pass CDC 
 
FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SOCI, TBIO, EAGR, ZF, CF, CACS 
SUBJECT:  CONGO/B:  Update on Ebola Outbreak in Northern 
Republic of Congo 
 
 
1. Summary.  Econ/Cons Off and DCM attended a UNDP meeting 
18 May 2005 on the recent outbreak of Ebola in the north 
central region of the country.  At the meeting it was 
confirmed that the recent cases observed in the northern 
region of Cuvette-Ouest were indeed Ebola.  The government 
is working with Medecins Sans Frontieres-Holland (MSF), 
World Health Organization (WHO), and local and international 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to respond to this 
crisis and, specifically, to limit the expansion, take 
charge of those infected, and contain and monitor those 
believed to have been exposed. 
 
2. On April 27, 2005, the Republic of Congo announced an 
epidemic alert.  Between April 27 and May 16, nine deaths 
have resulted from 11 observed cases (an 81% fatality rate). 
Of the deaths, eight were in the Etoumbi district and one 
was in the Mbomo district (north central regions of the 
country). In addition, 84 subjects have been identified as 
having been exposed. In response, Etoumbi has been placed in 
quarantine. This is the fourth outbreak since 1996 in the 
Cuvette-Ouest region, which is located about 400 miles north 
of Brazzaville. 
 
3. Taken together, the high fatality rate and repeated 
outbreaks have motivated the Government of the Republic of 
Congo (ROC)to raise the alert to the national level and to 
seek the active assistance of WHO, MSF-Holland, ECOFAC, and 
the Congolese Red Cross.  The current contingency plan 
specifically foresees interventions by public sector 
officials from the Ministries of Health & Population, 
Environment & Forest Economy, Territorial Administration, 
and Security as well as assistance from an international 
intervention team composed of WHO, local NGOs (Congolese Red 
Cross & CARITAS), and international NGOs (MSF, ECOFAC, and 
WCS-Congo). 
 
4. The plan primarily concentrates on combating the epidemic 
on the ground in the region currently affected to avoid 
further spreading.  Needed in the region are medicines, 
beds, bedding, food, and transportation. On the national 
level, the plan calls for increased public sensitizing about 
the vectors of the disease (consumption of infected monkey 
meat, for example), signs of the illness, and what to do 
when confronted with those who may be infected. 
 
5. Comment: On the optimistic side, over the past decade 
technical expertise in country has increased considerably 
due to the previous crises and the public sensitizing 
campaign has been considered fairly effective.  The Cuvette- 
Ouest region is, however, remote, difficult to reach, and 
very poor. In addition, forest communities traditionally 
consume bushmeat as a staple, and despite the public 
sensitizing campaign the temptation to consume bushmeat - a 
suspected vector of the disease - continues. There are also 
very few alternative protein sources for forest communities 
which also adds to the temptation to consume bushmeat. 
 
6. Brazzaville Embassy Office - Sanders 
 
Meece