Frightening new Ebola strain ravages remote Congo area

An outbreak of a new strain of the deadly Ebola virus in a remote area near the Democratic Republic of Congo is causing considerable concern.

The outbreak has ravaged the western Bundibugyo region since August with 18 deaths to date and the number infected has risen to 58.

There are grave concerns amongst officials who suspect the figure is not accurate because of the large numbers of new cases that are being reported each day.

Dr. Sam Okware, head of Uganda's national hemorrhagic fever task force says four medical personnel, including a doctor and three nurses, have been isolated in Bundibugyo Hospital after catching the virus.

U.S. and Ugandan health officials say genetic samples taken from victims of the virus have revealed it is a previously unknown strain of Ebola and the fifth strain to appear.

Uganda's last Ebola outbreak in 2000 claimed the lives of over 200 victims when 425 people caught the virus; a team of experts are currently battling to contain the spread of the virus.

The Ebola virus is spread from person to person via contact of body fluids and is characterized by bleeding that can be both internal and external; it kills 90 percent of victims.

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.

A team from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is due to arrive in the district on Tuesday with equipment and other supplies aimed at containing the outbreak of the virus.

An outbreak in neighbouring Congo this year infected up to 264 people, killing 187.