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Uganda says two more die of deadly Ebola virus

Society Materials 1 December 2007 16:32 (UTC +04:00)

( Reuters ) -Two more Ugandans have died of a new strain of the deadly Ebola virus in an outbreak near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo, bringing the death-toll to 18, health officials said on Saturday.

"We have had two more deaths in the last 24 hours, and the disease continues to spread," Sam Zaramba, the Ugandan Health Ministry's director of health services, told Reuters.

Zaramba said World Health Organization (WHO) officials were teaming up with local experts to draw up a strategy for containing the outbreak in the western Bundibugyo region, where more than 50 people are also infected.

"We have set up isolation wards where all those who have been diagnosed with Ebola have been quarantined, and are being monitored closely," he added.

Genetic analysis of samples taken from some of the victims shows it is a previously unknown type of Ebola, making it the fifth strain, U.S. and Ugandan health officials say.

Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever, meaning it can cause internal and external bleeding. Victims often die of shock but symptoms can be vague, including fever, muscle pain and nausea.

It is known to infect humans, chimpanzees and gorillas.

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