Afghanistan: Rapid detection and investigation of an unknown disease in a remote area
When the Global Public Health International Network (GPHIN) picked up rumours of a severe haemorrhagic disease in Herat, Afghanistan, immediate verification and preliminary investigation was carried out through the network of WHO Regional and Country Offices. Through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, an international response team was rapidly sent to complete epidemiological and laboratory investigations, bring the outbreak under control quickly and contain the threat to neighbouring countries.
In addition WHO rapidly dispelled unfounded rumours about the nature of the disease by providing information to the public and health professionals through the WHO Disease Outbreak News web pages and the Weekly Epidemiological Record .