The WHO mission, working in collaboration
with NGOs including Médecins sans frontières (MSF-France) and Medical Emergency
Relief International (MERLIN) has reported that the outbreak has spread
to many areas of the country. The real extent and severity of the outbreak
is still unknown. Training of laboratory technicians in isolation
techniques for shigella is taking place and the field teams will collect
further samples in each district for testing.
The teams will work with district medical
teams on case management, health education and surveillance. They will
also distribute drugs, intravenous fluids and oral rehydration salts (ORS)
to hospitals and public health units. An awareness campaign has been started
on the radio.
=A9 WHO/OMS, 1998