Uganda Fights Another Ebola Outbreak

July 31, 2012

A laboratory specialist examines specimens of the Ebola virus at the Uganda virus research centre in Entebbe, 40km (25 miles) south from capital Kampala, May 17, 2011.

This is the VOA Special English Health Report.

Uganda's latest outbreak of Ebola virus is the fourth in recent years. About two hundred people died in the biggest outbreak, in two thousand. Thirty-seven people died in the last outbreak in two thousand seven.

Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever -- it can lead to bleeding inside and outside the body. Symptoms of the disease include high fever, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. Other signs include weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.

Ebola spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids of infected people. The virus is often deadly. There is no cure, and no vaccine to prevent the disease.

On Monday, President Yoweri Museveni urged Ugandans to report all suspected cases of Ebola. He also urged people to limit their physical contact -- even shaking hands.

YOWERI MUSEVENI: "We discourage the shaking of hands because that can cause contact through sweat, which can cause problems. And when people are sick in hospitals, with symptoms which look like Ebola, they should be handled by medical workers wearing protective gear."

President Museveni also warned people to let medical workers bury suspected Ebola victims.