KAMPALA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Thursday announced an Ebola outbreak after a health worker in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, succumbed to the deadly virus.

Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, told reporters in Kampala, the capital, that samples taken from a 32-year-old male nurse of the Mulago National Referral Hospital turned out positive for the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.

She said the patient experienced multi-organ failure and died at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala Wednesday, marking the eighth Ebola outbreak in the East African country.

"Post-mortem samples confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease. Currently, no other health worker or patient on the ward has presented with signs or symptoms of Ebola," said Atwine.

She said the three laboratory confirmations were done at the Central Public Health Laboratory in Kampala, Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, and Makerere University.

"The confirmed case, designated as the index case, initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at multiple health facilities, as well as from a traditional healer," Atwine said. "The patient presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain and difficulty in breathing, which progressed to unexplained bleeding from multiple body sites."

A total of 45 contacts have been listed, including 30 health workers and patients from Mulago hospital, 11 family members of the deceased, and four health workers at Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in the central district of Wakiso, where the deceased first sought treatment.

"The vaccination of all contacts of the deceased against Ebola virus disease is set to commence immediately. The available doses of the Ebola vaccine are prioritized for contacts and health workers," said Atwine.

She said the Ministry of Health has sent rapid response teams to both Mbale City in the eastern region and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Wakiso.

The Ebola virus is highly contagious and causes various symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise, and in many cases internal and external bleeding.

According to the World Health Organization, the fatality rate for those who contract Ebola ranges from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on the viral subtype. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)