Outbreak of rare Ebola virus in Uganda worsens
Pastor Dale Morgan
Outbreak of rare Ebola virus in Uganda worsens*
02 Dec 2007 15:18:08 GMT
Source: Reuters
KAMPALA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The number of Ugandans infected by a new
strain of the deadly Ebola virus has risen to 58, raising fears the
death toll of 18 will also increase from the outbreak in a remote area
near Democratic Republic of Congo.
The half dozen extra infections in recent days include some medical
staff who were treating victims of the haemorrhagic fever which has
swept the western Bundibugyo region since August.
"Four of our medical personnel, including a doctor and three nurses,
have been isolated in Bundibugyo Hospital after catching the virus,"
said Dr. Sam Okware, head of Uganda's national hemorrhagic fever task force.
"We now have a team of experts on the ground to try and contain further
spreading of the virus."
Genetic analysis of samples taken from some of the victims shows it is a
previously unknown type of Ebola, making it the fifth strain, U.S. and
Ugandan health officials say.
Ebola can cause internal and external bleeding.
Victims often die of shock, but symptoms can be vague, including fever,
muscle pain and nausea. It is known to infect humans, chimpanzees and
gorillas.
Uganda was last hit by an epidemic of Ebola in 2000, when 425 people
caught it and just over half of them died, including a doctor treating
victims.
An outbreak in neighbouring Congo this year infected up to 264 people,
killing 187. (Reporting by Francis Kwera, writing by Andrew Cawthorne;
editing by Myra MacDonald)