Ebola virus outbreak kills 13
- 12 years ago
An outbreak of the Ebola virus in Uganda has killed 13 people and the government says efforts are under way to try and keep it from spreading.
Anthony Mbonye of Uganda's Ministry of Health, says the origin of the outbreak hasn't been confirmed, but that it likely linked to one family.
SOUNDBITE: Anthony Mbonye, Director Of Communicable Disease Department for Uganda's Ministry Of Health saying:
"There are many cases, as I've said, thirteen people have died so of course they had relatives. They had friends who attended to them during the burial, when they were sick. We have to contact tracing of these people and we have to see whether they develop symptoms or not."
There is no treatment or vaccine against Ebola, which is transmitted by close personal contact. Depending on the strain, it kills up to 90 percent of those who contract the virus.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters
Anthony Mbonye of Uganda's Ministry of Health, says the origin of the outbreak hasn't been confirmed, but that it likely linked to one family.
SOUNDBITE: Anthony Mbonye, Director Of Communicable Disease Department for Uganda's Ministry Of Health saying:
"There are many cases, as I've said, thirteen people have died so of course they had relatives. They had friends who attended to them during the burial, when they were sick. We have to contact tracing of these people and we have to see whether they develop symptoms or not."
There is no treatment or vaccine against Ebola, which is transmitted by close personal contact. Depending on the strain, it kills up to 90 percent of those who contract the virus.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters