<< Reprogrammed stem cells cure sickle cell anaemia | Fruits and raw veggies reduce the risk of cancer >>
Read in | English | Español | Français | Deutsch | Português | Italiano | 日本語 | 한국어 | 简体中文 | 繁體中文 | Nederlands | Filipino | Русский | Svenska | Polski

Ebola ravages Uganda as local doctor dies after treating victims

Published on December 9, 2007 at 6:24 PM · No Comments

With the latest reports suggesting that as many as 25 people have now fallen victim to the deadly virus, the new and mysterious strain of Ebola has infected some of the medical workers who treated patients without the aid of latex gloves and respirator gowns.

According to the Minister of State for primary health-care Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, eleven health workers treating Ebola patients have contracted the disease and four of them have died.

Among those was Dr. Jonah Kule who died on December 4 at Mulago Hospital from the hemorrhagic fever.

Dr. Kule who grew up in Bundibugyo, returned to the area after completing medical school in the capital city of Kampala.

Dr. Kule was one of the first to investigate the Ebola outbreak when it first appeared in October when rumours of a mysterious illness with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and inexplicably rapid death initially surfaced.

Ebola appears to be ravaging parts of Uganda with another 104 people suspected of carrying the virus and hundreds more under close scrutiny.

Health authorities say although the situation remains serious it has started to improve in hospitals where the government has deployed additional personnel and protective equipment.

According to Sam Kazinga, the area's district commissioner, four people have recovered and are about to be discharged from Bundibugyo hospital and two others are about to be discharged from Kikyo health centre.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged the public to refrain from handshakes and kissing and the message is also being delivered by local radio stations and via public information campaigns.

Authorities fear the deadly virus will spread beyond the western Bundibugyo district which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The World Health Organization and Ugandan officials are currently trying to track 327 people believed to have been in contact with the victims in order to assess their status.

Comments
The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News-Medical.Net.



  Country flag

biuquote
  • Comment
  • Preview
Loading