Ugandan Nightmare
# 1328
The picture above gives a pretty good indication of how the Ebola virus is spreading in Uganda. Notice the lack of gloves on the attendant's hands, the lack of goggles, and the use of only a simple surgical mask.
Disposables, like gloves, are in very short supply even in the hospitals, and this has led to the deaths of 5 health care workers.
While this picture, which appears on a Norwegian TV station's website (hat tip Treyfish on Flutrackers) is credited as being taken in Uganda, what is unclear is when it was taken.
Before or after Ebola was diagnosed.
This `mystery disease', which began back in August or September, took three months to be identified. Authorities blame this delay on the atypical presentation of the disease. It didn't kill 50% to 90% of its victims, like Ebola normally does, and the characteristic bleeding wasn't present.
Critics point out that Ugandan authorities weren't keen on investigating this outbreak until after CHOGM, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (held in Kampala from November, 22-24) was completed.
The Ugandan government denies those charges.
Either way, this Ebola crisis continues to spread, with neighboring Kenya now screening people trying to enter that country for symptoms.
This from Al Jazeera News.
Ebola outbreak kills many in Uganda
The World Health Organisation is concerned about the way the Ebola virus keeps mutating [EPA]
At least 22 people have died and 94 thought to be infected by a new strain of the Ebola virus in Uganda, reports say.
Some 330 people are being monitored for possible infection in western Uganda, health officials said on Thursday.
The outbreak started in August and 58 cases have so far been confirmed by laboratory tests.
Authorities are facing problems investigating the extent of the outbreak in the Bundibugyo district, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The area is home to an estimated 250,000 people and considered the epicentre of the disease.
Many villagers are reportedly unwilling to co-operate with medical authorities.
