11 more contract deadly Ebola

KAMPALA

The number of people being treated for Ebola in Uganda’s western district of Kibaale has risen from eight to 19.

This brings the total number of those affected, including the 14 dead, to 33 since the outbreak last weekend.

However, no deaths were reported on Tuesday. Patients continued being treated at Kagadi Hospital in Kibaale district - 201 kilometres west of Kampala, and 50 kilometres from the border with Democratic Republic of Congo.

Health officials have established an isolation ward at Kagadi Hospital, where all Ebola patients are being treated.

Seven doctors and 13 health workers, who treated the first victims are still quarantined at Mulago Referral Hospital in Kampala – where two patients were admitted on Sunday, with one dying of the haemorrhagic disease.

Kibaale district health officer Dan Kyamanywa said the patients were from the sub-counties of Burora, Bwikara, Kyaterekera, Muhurro and Kagadi town council.

“They are in an isolation ward at Kagadi Hospital. They have received treatment and we can see some progress (in their health),” Dr Kyamanywa said.

Meanwhile, patients with other ailments at the hospital have abandoned the facility for fear of contracting the virus. Reports also indicate that the hospital has not been receiving patients with other ailments.

According to Mr Steven Byarugaba, the district chairman of the Ebola taskforce, the patients abandoned the hospital before they were discharged.

Several people are also reported to have fled their homes and other areas where the Ministry of Health confirmed the disease. More than 200 schools have been closed ahead of the official closure on Friday.

A team of experts from the World Health Organisation and its partners are supporting Uganda after the government alerted WHO of the outbreak.