New Ebola strain bothers WHO
2007-11-30 14:56
Geneva - The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that it was particularly concerned by a new strain of the deadly Ebola virus identified in the west of Uganda.
Sixteen people had died since the outbreak began in September in the Bundibugyo district. The disease was only confirmed this week by the US Centre for Disease Control, which finally identified it as a fifth strain.
Up to 41 cases had been reported and eight of 20 samples had tested positive with results for the remaining 12 still outstanding.
A WHO spokesperson said: "Anytime we are looking at Ebola and a new strain of Ebola, this presents a new challenge and we are very concerned."
The symptoms varied compared with the other four strains and included vomiting earlier on. The usual signs were fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
Vomiting might follow and in some cases there was both internal and external bleeding. It was transmitted by direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids.
In the last outbreak in Uganda in 2000 to 2001, 224 people died out of more than 425 cases.
Sapa-dpa
- SAPA