An Ebola outbreak in Uganda has the World Health Organization and other African countries on high alert.
Ugandan health officials declared the outbreak on September 20th, just days after the deadly disease began spreading in a small farming region. Thus far, the quickly moving virus has reportedly sickened 64 people and killed 24. This total is likely higher and does not include people who perished before the re-emergence of the disease was confirmed.
Authorities are specifically concerned about a COVID-19-like scenario because at least three infected people traveled from the outbreak’s originated region to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. For this reason, Uganda has imposed a lockdown as researchers scramble to get a handle on the disease.
While there is not yet a determined source or concrete prevention methods, researchers are working tirelessly to develop two experimental vaccines in an effort to prevent the devastation seen in the recent coronavirus pandemic and other Ebola outbreaks. However, the shots are in their infancy and will likely take months, if not years, to successfully and safely develop. Nevertheless, it is worth the effort if it means sparing lives.
Uganda’s 2000 Ebola outbreak saw 200 deaths, though the wave that began in 2014 and went through 2016 caused the most devastation in the country. Over 11,000 lives were lost in a two-year period. What is unique about the response to this latest bout is that it’s the first time Uganda has ordered a lockdown. Seeing the effectiveness of limiting public interactions, the CDC is confident that the outbreak will soon be contained, though officials in Uganda have confirmed that the situation is “rapidly evolving.”
Ebola symptoms include internal and external bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Anyone who has traveled to Uganda recently and is experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
