Monday, January 12, 2009

WHO rules out spread of Ebola virus in Angola

WHO rules out spread of Ebola virus in Angola
www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-13 07:50:10 Print

LUANDA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) here on Monday said "there is no evidence of widespread Ebola virus in Angola" which is now affecting western Kassai province of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

Luis Gomes Sambo, WHO regional director for Africa, made the remarks after meeting with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The WHO official said the is due to that fact that the Angolan Health Ministry has taken measures along with other organizations to halt the spread of the Ebola virus into Angola's northeast Lunda Norte province that shares the border with western Kassai province.

"At this moment there is no reason for panic," he added.

The Ebola virus was first reported in the DR Congo's western Kassai province in late November last year.

According to WHO data, three cases of the disease were recorded in the DR Congo and at least 36 suspected cases were recorded, including 12 deaths feared to be related to the disease.

Laboratory tests are now taking place in the DR Congo, Gabon and South Africa.

To prevent the spread of the Ebola pandemic from the DR Congo, the Angolan government has established an emergency commission coordinated by Angolan Prime Minister Antonio Paulo Kassoma and suspended migratory movements at its northeastern border with the DR Congo.

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