The investigation of an outbreak of unknown origin in Angola has revealed extremely high levels of bromide in plasma sampled from several affected patients. High percentage of victims are children under 15.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent technical and operational support personnel to Angola to work with Angolan health authorities; included in the team are a field coordinator, clinician, two epidemiologists, food safety expert, laboratory specialist, and a logistician.
The team is there to help with the
investigation of an outbreak that is of an unknown origin.
On November 19, over 390 cases had been identified and treated at the Municipal Hospital in Cacuaco; approximately 64 per cent of the people treated are children below the age of fifteen.
Tests have revealed that several of the affected people have high levels of bromide in the plasma samples that were taken. The toxicological tests were conducted in Munich Germany.
In addition, samples are on the way to a laboratory in the UK to be tested for bromides.
Bromide intoxication has been one of the working hypotheses being explored by WHO and partners as a cause of the outbreak.
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Angola: Unknown Virus Under Investigation
