The Ugandan health ministry has reported that the deadly Ebola virus has spread to the country’s center.
Local officials report that a patient with Ebola symptoms was taken to the Mubende regional referral hospital on September 15 and passed away on September 19.
Following reports from nearby towns that individuals were dying from unusual ailments, the police stated six further fatalities are being looked into.
Following the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement of an Ebola case in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda increased surveillance along its western border in August (DRC).
The ministry did add that there was a high probability of illness spread in 21 neighboring areas.
Uganda has had over five Ebola outbreaks in the last two decades, mostly along its western regions close to the DRC, according to the ministry of health.
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 WHO, the fatality rate for those who contract Ebola ranges from 50 per cent to 89 per cent, depending on the viral sub-type.
National Daily reports that in August, Uganda intensified surveillance on its western border following a reported Ebola case in the neighbouring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The government also intensified risk communication in the border districts.
Allan Muruta, the commissioner in charge of epidemics at the ministry, told local media that the risk of disease spread was high in 21 bordering districts.
