Uganda winning Ebola battle
2007-12-24 20:17
Kampala - An Ebola epidemic in western Uganda that has killed at least 36 and infected more than 130 people has been stemmed, the government said on Monday.
The health ministry said only one person died of the disease since December 13 and infection rates have dropped from 25 to five cases since the same date.
"We are getting on top of the epidemic and it is now controlled," said Nathan Mugisha, the ministry's director of health services.
The disease has mostly concentrated in the remote border district of Bundibugyo.
Neighbouring Kenya had alerted its border guards to diligently screen people crossing into the country from Uganda to pre-empt the spread of the disease across international borders.
At least 224 people were killed and 425 infected when the virus broke out in Uganda's north in 2000.
The Ebola virus, spread by body fluids, is fatal in 80% of cases. Victims bleed from all body orifices.
- SAPA