What you should know about the latest Ebola outbreak

The outbreak of Ebola in Uganda has made surrounding nations including Nigeria to be on the alert to curb the possible spread of the disease which has killed 19 people, based on the World Health Organisation data.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had told a meeting from Geneva that clinical trials could start within weeks on drugs to combat the particular strain circulating in Uganda known as the Sudan ebola virus, for which there is currently no vaccine.

A statement issued by WHO said there were 54 confirmed cases and 19 deaths since the outbreak was first reported in the central district of Mubende on September 20.

Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, has however disputed WHO’s figure, saying only one fatal case had been recorded in Kampala, a 45-year-old man of Congolese origin who had fled isolation in Mubende after a relative died and had sought out the help of a witch doctor.

Museveni has barred traditional doctors from treating sick people.