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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Breaking: Ebola Death Toll Rises, 176 New Infections Suspected

Breaking: Ebola Death Toll Rises, 176 New Infections Suspected

The Ministry of Health has Wednesday confirmed what appeared in the international media last night that two more Ebola victims had passed away at Kagadi Government Hospital in Kibaale district.

The first death was a female who had earlier tested positive for Ebola while the other was a new admission in the isolation facility. This brings the total number of dead to 16 since the onset of the outbreak that stared in Nyanswiga LCI in Nyamarunda Parish of Nyamarunda sub-county, Kibaale district in July,” said General Health Services Director Dr K Lwamafa.
Currently, there are two confirmed cases of Ebola and 16 unconfirmed admitted at the hospital isolation facility.
“The patients are receiving the appropriate treatment from the medical expert team.
A total of 14 samples were yesterday July 31st picked from the patients admitted at the isolation facility, bringing the total number of samples collected since the outbreak to 30. The samples are currently being investigated at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe,” added Lwamafa.
The Ministry of Health Surveillance team in Kibaale district is actively and closely following up to 176 people suspected to have got into contact with the dead and sick. These contacts have not shown any signs of the disease but continue to be monitored,” he further noted. One more sample was picked from a patient in Mbarara district and is being tested at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe.
“The Ministry of Health continues to urge the public to avoid unnecessary movements and gatherings especially in Kibaale and neighbouring districts. The Ministry of Health response team is on alert to respond to any suspect cases,” cautioned Lwamafa.
District Health Officers have been asked to reactivate their taskforces and be on alert of any suspicious disease or death.
Health workers are reminded to observe the required medical measures as they attend to suspicious patients.
“The Ministry assures the general public that the epidemic is being managed appropriately and will be contained. The public should continue to be vigilant but without creating unnecessary fear and panic. Ebola presents with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache, measles-like rash, red eyes, and sometimes with bleeding from body openings,” added Lwamafa. http://www.chimpreports.com/index.ph...suspected.html