A new case of Ebola was confirmed on July 28, 2012 in Uganda. The World Health Organization (WHO), located in Kampala, immediately went into action in order to prevent the disease from spreading. Their response was to isolate confirmed cases using lab testing, educate the public about the virus, provide treatment support and follow up with contacts.

The Ebola virus causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever, an extremely infectious virus that easily spreads by direct contact with bodily fluids. The virus is passed from wild animals to people. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment available for people or animals.

Signs and symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever include:

  • muscle pain
  • headache
  • sore throat
  • intense weakness
  • fever
  • vomiting
  • rash
  • diarrhea
  • impaired kidney and liver function
  • in rare cases bleeding from body openings

As of August 7, 2012, 16 deaths have been reported and 60 suspected cases of Ebola have been recognized in the Kibaale District, located west of Uganda’s capital city of Kampala. The Uganda Virus Research Institute, located in Entebbe, Uganda, has confirmed 10 cases of Ebola. The Ministry of Health and WHO have been able to contain the outbreak to the Kiabaale District, but further support is needed.

The involved organizations are looking for more funds to increase the number of health workers as well as care needed for the infected people. They will also require additional resources to inform populations about ways to protect themselves and their families. With these extra resources, the WHO office in Uganda hopes to completely stop this outbreak from spreading any further in the coming months, if not weeks.

Written by Kelly Fitzgerald