#Ebola death toll rises to 16

News
Wednesday, 01 August 2012 00:22
Written by Edward Ssekika

Two more people, including a five-year-old boy, have succumbed to Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Kibaale district, bringing the death toll to 16 by last evening. Dr Dan Kyamanywa, the Kibaale district health officer, said the two died on Monday. They were identified as five-year-old Nicholas Asingwire, from Kenga village in Kagadi sub-county, and Frediano Nsabimaana of Nyamugusa in Bwamiramira sub-county. Kyamanywa said the two were buried by health workers on the Ebola taskforce.
Twelve more Ebola patients were by yesterday admitted at an isolation unit at the district’s main Kagadi hospital, bringing the total number of admitted patients to 19. Four of those admitted were reported to be in critical condition. The disease broke out about three weeks ago, but was only confirmed last weekend. Its main symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and bleeding from openings on the body
“We have registered 34 health workers who were in close contact with late Muhumuza and we are monitoring them for at least 21 days to see if they can develop any signs and symptoms of Ebola,” Kyamanywa said.
Paul Kagwa, the head of Health promotion in the ministry of Health, yesterday said the ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) were tracking over 40 people suspected to have come into contact with Ebola cases. Meanwhile, MPs yesterday criticized the government for taking too long to confirm the outbreak of the disease. But in a statement to Parliament, Health Minister Christine Ondoa insisted the situation was under control.

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