sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Outbreak Notice
Ebola Outbreak in the District of Bundibugyo, Uganda
This information is current as of today, December 06, 2007 at 13:16
Updated: December 06, 2007
The U.S. CDC and the Ministry of Health of Uganda have reported an Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the Bundibugyo district located in the Western part of the country.
The outbreak may have begun as early as August 2007. As of December 3, seventy-five people have become ill; evidence of Ebola virus infection has been confirmed in nine people, and eighteen people have died. Genetic analysis of samples from case-patients indicated that this is a new virus strain distinct from the four known strains of Ebola virus. However, further studies will be needed before this can be verified.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a rare, serious viral disease which develops suddenly, with common symptoms of fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, and weakness. Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain start after the first symptoms. A skin rash may develop. By the third or fourth day of illness some people with Ebola hemorrhagic fever may develop internal and external bleeding, shock and organ failure.
Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or other body fluids (e.g., saliva, urine) of infected persons or objects that have been contaminated with infected body fluids. People who have close contact with a nonhuman primate infected with the virus are also at risk.
Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that there is no need for any travel restrictions to Uganda. Generally, the risk of contracting Ebola virus is low for travelers. CDC recommends that anyone traveling to Uganda take the following steps to prevent Ebola virus infection:
For information about the current situation, see the WHO report at www.who.int.
For additional information on Ebola hemorrhagic fever, please see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola.htm.
To learn more about traveling to areas with hemorrhagic fevers, see the Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers section of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentEbolaUganda.aspx
Ebola Outbreak in the District of Bundibugyo, Uganda
This information is current as of today, December 06, 2007 at 13:16
Updated: December 06, 2007
The U.S. CDC and the Ministry of Health of Uganda have reported an Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the Bundibugyo district located in the Western part of the country.
The outbreak may have begun as early as August 2007. As of December 3, seventy-five people have become ill; evidence of Ebola virus infection has been confirmed in nine people, and eighteen people have died. Genetic analysis of samples from case-patients indicated that this is a new virus strain distinct from the four known strains of Ebola virus. However, further studies will be needed before this can be verified.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a rare, serious viral disease which develops suddenly, with common symptoms of fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, and weakness. Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain start after the first symptoms. A skin rash may develop. By the third or fourth day of illness some people with Ebola hemorrhagic fever may develop internal and external bleeding, shock and organ failure.
Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or other body fluids (e.g., saliva, urine) of infected persons or objects that have been contaminated with infected body fluids. People who have close contact with a nonhuman primate infected with the virus are also at risk.
Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that there is no need for any travel restrictions to Uganda. Generally, the risk of contracting Ebola virus is low for travelers. CDC recommends that anyone traveling to Uganda take the following steps to prevent Ebola virus infection:
- Avoid contact with Ebola patients and their body fluids.
- Avoid touching used needles or other medical waste.
- Avoid contact with wild animals and bushmeat, including primates.
For information about the current situation, see the WHO report at www.who.int.
For additional information on Ebola hemorrhagic fever, please see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola.htm.
To learn more about traveling to areas with hemorrhagic fevers, see the Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers section of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentEbolaUganda.aspx