Ebola kills 16
Nov 29, 2007
EBOLA has broken out in Bundibugyo district in the western region. The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, confirmed yesterday that the dreaded disease had killed 16 people in the last three months. A total of 51 cases have been reported since.
By Charles Wendo, Conan Businge and Mary Karugaba
EBOLA has broken out in Bundibugyo district in the western region.
The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, confirmed yesterday that the dreaded disease had killed 16 people in the last three months. A total of 51 cases have been reported since.
The disease is characterised by bleeding, high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, red eyes and a rash.
Ebola is spread through contact with the body fluids of infected persons. Anybody handling suspected cases must use protective clothing.
At least 35 people are still admitted in Bundibugyo Hospital. By yesterday, 14 villages were affected. They included Kikyo, Kabango, Ntandi, Butolya, Bugharama and Kizufo, Zaramba said.
Others were Buyaya, Butantagua, Bulhambago, Bundimwali I, Bugharama II and Bulhambaghiri.
This is the second major Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The last one occurred in 2000 in Bunyoro and in the North, killing over 140 people, including Dr. Matthew Lukwiya. Over 500 people became ill.
In the Bundibugyo outbreak, the first victims died in August. Until yesterday, the cause was referred to as a ‘mysterious illness’.
Earlier, Zaramba told Parliament that tests at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, USA, had confirmed Ebola.
Zaramba, who was appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, explained that the disease manifested itself differently from the one that hit northern Uganda in 2000, making it difficult for health workers to suspect Ebola. It took three months to get the diagnosis.
Out of 20 samples sent to the US for testing, eight were positive for Ebola.
By press time, the source of the disease was not yet known.
The Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, said a joint team from his ministry and the World Health Organisation was in the area “to make sure the disease is contained.â€
The district medical officer, Dr. William Sikyewunda, said they were spraying the rooms in which the infected people had died. They had also stopped traditional rites at burials and were offering protective wear for the people involved in the burials.
Ebola facts
Ebola is a killer disease which presents with high fever and bleeding. It is very infectious and kills within a short time. Its incubation period is between two to 21 days, although seven to 14 days is the commonest interval.
Signs and symptoms
Headache
Vomiting
Bleeding through body openings (eyes, ears, nose, gums, anus and private parts)
Joint and muscle pain (fatigue)
Reduced urine
High fever
Rashes
Diarrhoea
Kidney problems
Chest pain
Respiratory problems
Abdominal pain
Sore throat
How it is spread
Direct physical contact with body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomit, urine and sweat of an infected person
Skin piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person
Contact of persons who have died of Ebola
Eating animals carrying the virus
It is also possible that Ebola could be transmitted by something like animals’ breath, according to Eric Leroy, a French immunologist/virologist
How it can be AVOIDED
Avoid direct contact with body fluids of Ebola victims by using protective gear like gloves
Disinfect beddings and clothings of infected persons with JIK
Report any suspected cases of Ebola to the nearest health unit for proper management
Immediately bury a person who has died of Ebola
Avoid feasting at funerals and the funeral should take a short time
Persons handling the patient or body of an Ebola victims should wear protective gear
Wash your hands with soap and water after handling a patient or body of an Ebola victim
Avoid communal hand washing during funeral rites of Ebola victims
Compiled by Chris Kiwawulo
EBOLA has broken out in Bundibugyo district in the western region.
The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, confirmed yesterday that the dreaded disease had killed 16 people in the last three months. A total of 51 cases have been reported since.
The disease is characterised by bleeding, high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, red eyes and a rash.
Ebola is spread through contact with the body fluids of infected persons. Anybody handling suspected cases must use protective clothing.
At least 35 people are still admitted in Bundibugyo Hospital. By yesterday, 14 villages were affected. They included Kikyo, Kabango, Ntandi, Butolya, Bugharama and Kizufo, Zaramba said.
Others were Buyaya, Butantagua, Bulhambago, Bundimwali I, Bugharama II and Bulhambaghiri.
This is the second major Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The last one occurred in 2000 in Bunyoro and in the North, killing over 140 people, including Dr. Matthew Lukwiya. Over 500 people became ill.
In the Bundibugyo outbreak, the first victims died in August. Until yesterday, the cause was referred to as a ‘mysterious illness’.
Earlier, Zaramba told Parliament that tests at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, USA, had confirmed Ebola.
Zaramba, who was appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, explained that the disease manifested itself differently from the one that hit northern Uganda in 2000, making it difficult for health workers to suspect Ebola. It took three months to get the diagnosis.
Out of 20 samples sent to the US for testing, eight were positive for Ebola.
By press time, the source of the disease was not yet known.
The Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, said a joint team from his ministry and the World Health Organisation was in the area “to make sure the disease is contained.â€
The district medical officer, Dr. William Sikyewunda, said they were spraying the rooms in which the infected people had died. They had also stopped traditional rites at burials and were offering protective wear for the people involved in the burials.
Ebola facts
Ebola is a killer disease which presents with high fever and bleeding. It is very infectious and kills within a short time. Its incubation period is between two to 21 days, although seven to 14 days is the commonest interval.
Signs and symptoms
Headache
Vomiting
Bleeding through body openings (eyes, ears, nose, gums, anus and private parts)
Joint and muscle pain (fatigue)
Reduced urine
High fever
Rashes
Diarrhoea
Kidney problems
Chest pain
Respiratory problems
Abdominal pain
Sore throat
How it is spread
Direct physical contact with body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomit, urine and sweat of an infected person
Skin piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person
Contact of persons who have died of Ebola
Eating animals carrying the virus
It is also possible that Ebola could be transmitted by something like animals’ breath, according to Eric Leroy, a French immunologist/virologist
How it can be AVOIDED
Avoid direct contact with body fluids of Ebola victims by using protective gear like gloves
Disinfect beddings and clothings of infected persons with JIK
Report any suspected cases of Ebola to the nearest health unit for proper management
Immediately bury a person who has died of Ebola
Avoid feasting at funerals and the funeral should take a short time
Persons handling the patient or body of an Ebola victims should wear protective gear
Wash your hands with soap and water after handling a patient or body of an Ebola victim
Avoid communal hand washing during funeral rites of Ebola victims
Compiled by Chris Kiwawulo