24 October 2000
Nairobi — The death toll from the ebola fever outbreak in Gulu, northern Uganda, continues to rise, with figures issued by the Ugandan health ministry on Tuesday standing at 60 out of 165 cases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the increase in cases reflected transmission of the disease some eight to 10 days earlier. Case finding was still underway in Gulu district, it added in a statement.
"As the incubation period is two to 21 days, monitoring of the disease for new cases is more accurate when carried out over time, rather than day by day," WHO said. "Since ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreaks usually originate from a single source, cases tend to come in waves: exposure through direct contact, incubation period and then illness."
An additional 1,370 kg of protective equipment arrived in Gulu on Monday and WHO stated this was enough to meet the needs of the initial phase of the response. Ireland has pledged US $80,000 in assistance to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni who is currently visiting the country.
Reporters and aid workers, who recently visited Gulu, described "life continuing much as normal". The town was bustling with shoppers and traders. "It would be difficult to know there's a problem except for the occasional glimpse of a health worker wearing a mask," one journalist pointed out.
He added that the response by local health officials was "quick and comprehensive" and local youth groups had been swift in offering help.
Meanwhile, more neighbouring countries have taken steps in a bid to prevent the disease spreading to their territories. The Sudanese health ministry announced that planes arriving in Khartoum from affected areas were being sprayed and various border points had been disinfected. In the DRC, the authorities in northeastern areas most at risk of the spread of ebola had taken precautionary health measures in conjunction with WHO, and had reinforced border security, humanitarian sources told IRIN. Kenya is still screening travellers at the border.
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