Brussels, 27/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Commission will allocate an additional EUR 1.5 million to Angola for helping to fight the epidemic in Marburg fever in the north. This rare haemorrhagic fever is increasing in an unprecedented way and this is the first time that these cases have been diagnosed in an urban environment. In the absence of specific treatment for this disease, Echo allocated funds will mainly go to buying blankets and water containers, medicines such as antibiotics, clean water, air transport of medical staff and supplies to the affected locations, community emergency education/information and support for quarantine and other public health measures and supportive hospital therapy and barrier nursing techniques to prevent direct contact with the patient must be provided. Commissioner Louis Michel said: “The Marburg fever is extremely worrying because it is so contagious and virulent. That is why we have decided to fund essential health work to help stem the spread of the virus. At the same time it is important to provide reliable information about who is at risk and how it is spread, in order to prevent unnecessary panic and stigmatisation of victims.”