World Vision programs hit by deadly Ebola strain in Africa

Four government health workers are among the dead in an outbreak of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus in Uganda, reports MNN.

According to government officials, because doctors and nurses did not know what they dealing with at first, they failed to protect themselves.

The diagnosis issue further complicated the situation because the Ebola subtype behind the outbreak is new, and the classic Ebola symptoms are not always present.

The medical superintendent of World Vision's Kikyo Health Center in the center of the outbreak area also recently succumbed to the disease. According to the ministry, a World Vision-sponsored child and her guardian in the Kisitu program area were also killed by the disease.

World Vision is looking to the expertise provided by Uganda's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has dispatched to the affected district a team of epidemiologists, including a laboratory specialist and an infection-control expert.

The WVI Uganda office is working with the Ministry of Health, providing antibiotics, painkillers, disinfectants, and re-hydration materials. Along with a task force that monitors the developments, the team also is helping to create awareness and sensitize local communities to the outbreak through hourly radio clips that continue to air on two local radio stations.

New iPad POLL! VOTE NOW! Will you buy new iPad?

[01/03/2008]

Print Version