Ebola claims victim in Uganda

A MAN who died in Uganda tested positive for the virus that causes Ebola, health authorities in the country have said.

It is still unknown how the man, who lived in the district of Mubende, about 90 miles west of the capital city, Kampala, became infected.

“We are right now gathering more information on the possible source of infection,” said a statement from the Ministry of Health, which referred to a potential new outbreak because six other people in the same area – including three children – died earlier in September after suffering what local officials called a strange illness.

The confirmed Ebola victim, who died on Monday, was initially treated for other illnesses, including malaria and pneumonia, when he sought care in his home town, the statement from the ministry said.

The World Health Organisation has reported eight suspected Ebola patients in the east African country of 45 million people.

“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 Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa.

The WHO is helping Ugandan health authorities with investigations and is deploying staff to the affected area.

Ebola, which is spread by contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials, manifests as a deadly haemorrhagic fever.

Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and at times internal and external bleeding

Uganda has had multiple Ebola outbreaks, including one in 2000 which killed hundreds of people.