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BATA, Equatorial Guinea, Apr 27, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The Minister of Health in Equatorial Guinea has issued an alert about the deadly Ebola virus after a man with symptoms of the disease died last week.
The Web site Afriquecentrale.info reported the alert was read on national radio. The minister advised any patient with symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, including a high fever and bleeding from the mouth, ears, nose or eyes, should be treated at a health facility.
Ebola is one of the most deadly viral diseases known, killing 50 percent to 90 percent of those who become infected. It generally is spread by contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, but the handling of infected chimpanzees also can transmit it.
The alert recommended dead individuals who had Ebola symptoms should be buried to prevent the virus from spreading.
Neighboring country Gabon has had Ebola outbreaks several times in recent years.
Angola currently is battling an outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever, which is caused by a virus closely related to Ebola.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
