Disease

Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Guinea – Summary

WHO is supporting the national authorities in the response to an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD; formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever). The outbreak is now confirmed to be caused by a strain of ebolavirus with very close homology (98%) to the Zaire ebolavirus. This is the first time the disease has been detected in West Africa. Cases were first reported from forested areas in south-eastern Guinea. The outbreak has rapidly evolved and several districts and Conakry have reported cases and deaths caused by EVD. A small number of suspected cases and deaths has also been reported from neighbouring countries with all of them having crossed from Guinea. Confirmed cases have been reported from Guinea and Liberia.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

On 31 March 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of three additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

New Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria

A fresh cholera outbreak in Bassa and Jos North local government areas of Plateau State have left no fewer than six persons dead and 113 others hospitalised.