The Ministry of Health in Uganda has announced an outbreak of the Ebola virus disease after a 24-year-old man who had presented with symptoms of the disease died. According to Uganda’s health ministry permanent secretary, Diana Atwine, the deceased had high fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and was vomiting blood. The World Health Organization has since confirmed that the symptoms are consistent with the relatively rare Sudan strain of the deadly virus. WHO Africa’s office further confirmed that there were eight more suspected cases of the virus adding that patients were receiving care at a health facility. However, WHO expressed confidence in Uganda’s ability to contain and manage the virus.
“Uganda is no stranger to effective Ebola control. Thanks to its expertise, action has been taken to quickly to detect the virus and we can bank on this knowledge to halt the spread of infections,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Africa’s regional director.
Ebola affects humans and primates alike, often with deadly effects. As of now, there are six known strains of the virus including the Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire which have caused large outbreaks in the past.
Get an exciting issue of Parents Magazine Here
Featured Image: Past sanitation exercise to curb the virus. Source| AFP
