Angola at critical stage in Marburg battle

Reuters / AlertNet ^ | 2005-04-23 | WHO

[Boundless]

Laboratory tests had shown some cases previously thought to be Marburg were not, bringing the total number of known cases down to 264 from 266 on Thursday, he said.

[Boundless]

... deputy Health Minister Jose Van Dunem told Reuters ...
...
... He said Marburg was under control ...
...
... the WHO was not willing to describe the outbreak as contained ...

And I wouldn't assume that the WHO is being
completely frank about it.

Angola is at a critical stage in its fight against
an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus and must
step up its drive to bring the disease under control,
the U.N. World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday.

In addition to being deferential to the local
politicians (and helping them conceal a big problem),
the WHO might be motivated to get more resources
dumped into Angola, and is in no hurry to let the
world assume this is nearly over.

[Boundless]

Using Google to search news for "Marburg" brings up
schizophrenic headlines, like:
"No end in sight for Marburg toll"
and
"Angola marburg outbreak under control"

[tet68]

TWO? it brought it down by two?

Whoopie!!!

Two is "some" now? I'd say someone is running scared.

[Judith Anne]

This is a fascinating and bizarre article.

The writer is careful to quote those who are optimistic and pessimistic, with reasons given for both; but I must say there isn't much encouraging news.

Here's what the WHO's top expert says: "It is just a good feeling ... maybe things are going to get better," he told the teleconference.

Sheesh! Why does this guy remind me of Kofi Annan on the future of the UN...