NAIROBI, 19 October (IRIN) - As
the death toll crept up in the ebola fever epidemic in northern Uganda,
health officials confirmed the disease was confined to the Gulu area and
had not spread as originally feared.
Information officer for the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in Uganda, Benjamin Sensafi, told IRIN on Thursday that
111 cases had now been reported, with 41 deaths - up from the 39 deaths
registered on Wednesday. He said 17 new cases had been identified as of
0800 [local time] on Thursday. Suspected cases in neighbouring Kitgum
district turned out to be dysentery, he said.
Sensafi added it was expected the situation would be brought under control in the next few days and said there was no problem with the provision of medical care and personnel. He denied reports that activities by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) were keeping medical staff away, stressing that the government was providing enough security. "No rebel incidents have been reported," he said.
This is the first time Uganda has been hit by the killer disease for which there is no known cure. Victims die an agonising death from internal and external bleeding, after initial flu-like symptoms. Consequently, Uganda's neighbours are taking preventive measures to prevent its spread into their territories. The Kenyan authorities are screening arrivals at the border between the two countries, a move criticised by Ugandan government officials who claim visitors are being "harassed" at the border, according to a report in the Kenyan 'East African Standard'.
In Tanzania, the health ministry and WHO have set up a committee of health experts which will closely monitor border areas for people displaying ebola-type symptoms. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have reportedly agreed to exchange information on the disease.
[ENDS]
[IRIN-CEA: Tel: +254 2 622147 Fax: +254 2 622129 e-mail: irin-cea@ocha.unon.org ]
[This item is delivered in the "africa-english" service of the UN's IRIN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. For further information, free subscriptions, or to change your keywords, contact e-mail: irin@ocha.unon.org or Web: http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN . If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Reposting by commercial sites requires written IRIN permission.]
Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2000