As the death toll crept up in the ebola fever epidemic in northern Uganda, health officials confirmed the disease was confined to the Gulu area and had not spread as originally feared. Suspected cases in neighbouring Kitgum district turned out to be dysentery, he said. Sensafi added it was expected the situation would be brought under control in the next few days and said there was no problem with the provision of medical care and personnel. This is the first time Uganda has been hit by the killer disease for which there is no known cure.
Victims die an agonising death from internal and external bleeding, after initial flu-like symptoms.
Consequently, Uganda's neighbours are taking preventive measures to prevent its spread into their territories. In Tanzania, the health ministry and WHO have set up a committee of health experts which will closely monitor border areas for people displaying ebola-type symptoms. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have reportedly agreed to exchange information on the disease. The material contained on this Web site comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources.