Ebola in Uganda Spreads to Health Care Workers
Recombinomics Commentary
December 2, 2007
The number of Ugandans infected by a new strain of the deadly Ebola virus has risen to 58, raising fears the death toll of 18 will also increase from the outbreak in a remote area near Democratic Republic of Congo.
The half dozen extra infections in recent days include some medical staff who were treating victims of the haemorrhagic fever which has swept the western Bundibugyo region since August.
"Four of our medical personnel, including a doctor and three nurses, have been isolated in Bundibugyo Hospital after catching the virus," said Dr. Sam Okware, head of Uganda's national hemorrhagic fever task force.
"We now have a team of experts on the ground to try and contain further spreading of the virus."
Genetic analysis of samples taken from some of the victims shows it is a previously unknown type of Ebola, making it the fifth strain, U.S. and Ugandan health officials say.
The above comments describe a worsening situation in Uganda. A new strain of Ebola, which could be a recombinant, has infected at least 58 patients, including health care workers. The case fatality rate remains relatively low for Ebola, which can kill more than 80% of infected patients.
The new strain may be less lethal, but more infectious.
The spread of the virus to health care workers, and reports of health care workers abandoning patients, is a cause for concern.
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