3 December 2007

Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Uganda

The Ugandan Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Bundibugyo District in the west of the country [1]. As of 28 November 2007, 51 suspected cases including 16 deaths have been reported. Three healthcare workers have also been infected, one of whom has died.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has undertaken laboratory analysis on 20 blood samples and has confirmed the presence of a new species of Ebola virus [2]. It is thought that the outbreak may have been ongoing since September 2007. A task force comprising MoH, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international agencies is now coordinating the response to this outbreak.

Advice for travellers

Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a severe disease caused by a virus of the Filoviridae family. Following an incubation period of around four to ten days (range: two to 21 days) the disease presents with the sudden onset of fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, and weakness. As the infection progresses, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, shortness of breath, confusion, and haemorrhage can all occur. This can lead to multi-organ failure, shock, and death in severe cases.

The likelihood of travellers contracting Ebola is low unless there has been direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected persons, or with objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with body fluids.

Travellers should avoid all contact with infected patients. Those who are providing medical care or are involved in the evaluation of an outbreak should observe strict barrier protection measures. Travellers who have been potentially exposed to Ebola virus should seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of the above symptoms within the first 21 days of return to the UK.

United Kingdom guidance on the management and control of viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) has been written by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/VHF/ACDP_VHF_

guidance.pdf.

Guidance for healthcare workers who will be working with VHF patients in African healthcare settings, has been written by the CDC in conjunction with WHO: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/vhfmanual.htm

References

1. World Health Organization. Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Uganda. 30 November 2007. [Accessed 3 December 2007]. Available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_11_30a/en/index.html

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Special Pathogens Branch. Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Uganda. [Accessed 3 December 2007]. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/outbreaks/index.htm

Links

Health Protection Agency. Viral Haemorrhagic Fever

http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/VHF/default.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States. Ebola hemorrhagic fever. On-line resource accessed 3 December 2007. Available at:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/

ebola.htm

World Health Organization. Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever. On-line resource accessed 3 December 2007. Available at:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/