Disease

Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update

As of 18:00 on 17 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 203 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 129 deaths. To date, 158 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 109 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 61 deaths. In addition, 41 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 53 cases (34 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. Twenty-four (24) health-care workers (HCW) have been affected (18 confirmed), with 15 deaths (11 confirmed).

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

On 18 April 2014, the Ministry of Health of Greece reported 1 laboratory-confirmed case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Update on polio in central Africa - polio confirmed in Equatorial Guinea, linked to outbreak in Cameroon

In Equatorial Guinea, three new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases have been reported on 14 April 2014, the first polio in the country since 1999. Genetic sequencing indicates these cases are linked to an ongoing WPV1 outbreak in Cameroon which has subsequently been detected in Equatorial Guinea. The cases had onset of paralysis on 28 January 2014, 19 January 2014 and 24 March 2014, from Centro Sur, Bioko Norte and Litoral. Outbreak response in Equatorial Guinea is currently being planned, including National Immunization Days (NIDs) with bivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV) on 21-24 April 2014. An estimated 40% of children are fully immunized against polio in the country.