The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has stepped up its support to the Angolan Red Cross (CVA) as its volunteers continue to work to combat the spread of the highly contagious Marburg haemorrhagic fever, which has so far claimed at least 215 lives.
Since the first cases of the Ebola-like Marburg virus were reported in the northern province of Uige in October 2004, there have been 235 cases registered. Of these, 215 have died, the large majority of them in Uige.
At least 45 CVA volunteers are working with Ministry of Health staff in Uige to disseminate information and advice on prevention and control to the local population, whether through public talks at marketplaces or by visiting their homes. “These door-to-door dissemination activities are essential if we are to ensure that everyone is getting the right message and knows what steps to take to avoid the spread of the disease. This is especially true of remote and hard-to-reach communities,” says Dr Aleixo Goncalves, Secretary General of the Angola Red Cross. “Also of great importance is the close coordination we have with the health authorities and the other actors working to combat this disease.”
The CVA national headquarters in Luanda has sent a range of essential supplies to its branch in Uige, including gloves, masks, medicines, disinfectant, oral re-hydration salts and needles. It is also in constant contact with its branches in the provinces of Malange, Kwanza Norte, Kwanza Sul, Zaire, Cabinda and Bengo, which are at risk due to their proximity to Uige. In each of these provinces, 20 volunteers are involved social mobilization and dissemination activities.
The response to the virus in Uige has been overshadowed by the deaths of three CVA volunteers and a colleague from a local non-governmental organisation, who were struck by lightening while working on social mobilization activities in the city of Uige.
Meanwhile, the International Federation has released 65,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund and deploying a technical team led by a medical doctor to assist the CVA’s response to the outbreak. The International Federation has considerable experience of responding to similar situations, most notably outbreaks of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Uganda.
“In a situation like this, in which communication is essential, Red Cross volunteers, who often come from the affected communities themselves, have a crucial role to play, complementing the work of the Ministry of Health and international agencies such as the World Health Organisation. They enjoy the trust of local people and understand their traditions, and so are well placed to put in place effective control measures,” says Dr Elizabeth Mbizvo, senior health officer at the International Federation’s Secretariat in Geneva.