Uganda Ending School Year Due to Ebola Outbreak
(DailyVantage.com) – Ebola remains one of the deadliest diseases on the planet, with nearly a 50% fatality rate. Transmission occurs when people come in contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, including blood. Many outbreaks have occurred over the years, particularly in Africa. One recent viral spread has Uganda taking cautionary measures.
On September 20, Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak, which has since infected 153 people and killed 53. The country’s Ministry of Education and Sports ordered a shutdown to curb the virus’ spread in schools just two weeks before the term would typically have ended. The educational facilities will officially close on November 25.
Cathy Janssens, who works with Doctors Without Borders as an emergency medical coordinator, said the situation is “increasingly alarming,” per NPR. In fact, the outbreak has expanded into metropolitan areas, prompting authorities to take action. By closing schools, they hope to reduce the number of people in the area and slow the spread. So far, eight out of 23 infected children have died from Ebola.
“The signs are worrisome. The outbreak has now extended to a major metropolitan community, and that's not a good thing” https://t.co/Wkiaqngamv
— Amesh Adalja (@AmeshAA) November 10, 2022
A different variant of Ebola, Sudan ebolavirus, caused this outbreak. An experimental vaccine is currently in the works. The World Health Organization plans to roll out the new formulation in a clinical trial in response to the outbreak.
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