Uganda Ebola Spread Confirmed
Recombinomics Commentary
December 6, 2007
Government of Uganda and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 51 cases of suspected hemorrhagic fever, reported in Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Mbarara Districts since September 2007, as Ebola.
The most recently reported three cases, of whom one has died, were recorded in Kabarole’s Fort Portal and Mbarara, and referred to the Ebola Isolation Unit in Bundibugyo.
Health authorities have identified three clusters of infection, each originating from different sites by relative proximity. However, as the most recently identified case was not from the original areas of contamination, investigations are ongoing to determine if there has been an additional outbreak. Two isolation units have been established in Bundibugyo’s Kikywa Health Centre IV (8 cases) and district hospital (9 cases), managed with MSF Switzerland's support. A third centre was established in Kampala's Mulago Hospital (2 cases), managed with MSF Spain support.
The above comments, from a UNICEF report dated December 5, 2007 indicate there has been significant spread of Ebola in Uganda (see satellite map). Earlier reports had described the death of Dr Jonah Kule, 41M, in Mulago Hospital in Kampala, but the above report indicates there are two confirmed cases in the capital. Similarly, there are also confirmed cases in Fort Portal and Mbarara, also signaling significant spread from the epicenter in Bundibugyo.
Media reports indicate the number of suspected cases has now topped 100, but patients are avoiding admission into hospitals, in part because of the number of fatal infections in health care workers. Therefore, the number of patients silently infected with Ebola may be increasing and the virus may be spreading via fleeing patients.
These complications will impact the number of confirmed or suspect patients and hamper contact tracing. Media reports indicate the number of contacts under observation has increased to 330.
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