So far, in the deadly Ebola outbreak that has struck Uganda, 14 have died and 13 health workers are in quarantine with efforts being made to trace everyone they have been in contact with.
Health
Ebola Strikes in Uganda
” I wish you good luck, may God rest the souls of those who have died in eternal peace.”
~ Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, July 31st 2012
These are the words President Museveni spoke to his people regarding the outbreak of Ebola that has hit the country. The words were part of a speech where Ugandans were advised not to shake hands, kiss or have sex in order to prevent the virus from spreading. They were also advised not to bury any victims of the virus, but to call the authorities who know how to deal with infected corpses safely. So far 14 have died and 13 health workers are in quarantine with efforts being made to trace everyone they have been in contact with. Depending on the strain of Ebola circulating up to 90% of the victims may die.
There are five known strains of Ebola:
* Ebola Zaire: 80-90 % fatal
* Ebola Sudan: 50% fatal
* Ebola Bundibugyo: 25% fatal
* Ebola Cote d’Ivoire: only 2 cases recorded, both survived
* Ebola Reston: no known human cases so far
Ebola Reston primarily affects primates and pigs. Five Filipinos have been found with antibodies to Reston in their system – they all work with pigs.
The natural reservoir for Ebola has not at this point been discovered, but based on other viral haemorrhagic diseases it is likely to be either bats, primates, rodents or insects.
Ebola is classified as a filovirus and it appears as filaments under the microscope. It can be passed from human to human via blood, bodily fluids and in some cases respiratory secretions. It has an incubation period of 4-16 days which can make isolating victims difficult due to the time period that has elapsed after exposure.
The symptoms are harsh and come on very suddenly. Fever, severe headaches and muscle aches that cannot be relieved are rapidly followed by almost total loss of appetite.
Within a few days the virus causes disseminated intravascular coagulation, an odd condition marked by blood clots in the internal organs and haemorrhages elsewhere.
Violent vomiting and diarrhoea both containing blood and mucus arrive next and are accompanied by a severe sore throat and conjunctivitis.
A maculopapular rash (discoloured raised skin eruptions) appears on the trunk, rapidly spreading to the limbs and head. This precedes the final stage of the disease.
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Contributed by Lizzie Bennett of Medically Speaking.
