The deadly Ebola virus in western Uganda has killed 14 people since the beginning of July.
Reports say 20 cases have been reported which sparked fear in the community and led people to flee their homes.
With the notification from the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Kibaale district, a team of experts from the health agency and its partners expressed support to Ugandan Government’s response to the deadly outbreak.
According to WHO, a team of experts from the Ministry of Health, WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now in Kibaale district to support the response operations.
The agency says all possible contacts that were exposed to the suspected and confirmed cases since 6 July 2012 are being identified for active follow up.
In addition, WHO reports that the necessary supplies and logistics required for supportive management of patients are being mobilized.”
Uganda has previously experienced outbreaks of Ebola fever, but the most recent outbreak was declared over in early 2008.
In 2000 the disease killed 224 people and left hundreds more traumatized in Uganda.
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, other bodily fluids or organs of infected persons or animals. It has an incubation period of two to 21 days.
Sufferers with the virus can experience fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headaches and a sore throat, as well as vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and impaired kidney and liver function.
Ebola virus was first reported in 1976 in Congo and is named for the river where it was recognized.
