Description of the situation
14 November 2000
Disease Outbreak Reported
As of 12 November, the Ugandan Ministry of Health has reported cumulative figures for Gulu district of 320 cases, including 104 deaths.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health has changed its reporting system to more accurately reflect the present situation of the outbreak. Cumulative figures will continue to be provided, but beginning today only new cases that are laboratory confirmed will be reported. Deaths will be reported when they occur.
Four cases, including one confirmed and three suspected cases, all from one family and all of whom have died, have been reported in Masindi district, bordering Gulu district . The confirmed case is the husband of a woman who had been hospitalized in Gulu. She, her daughter and grandchild died before EHF was diagnosed in her husband. A team comprised of Ministry of Health staff and experts from WHO, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Médecins sans Frontières arrived in Masindi on 13 November and are implementing barrier nursing procedures and are tracing contacts.
The number of new cases has declined sharply. From 8-11 November inclusive, only 5 laboratory confirmed cases have been recognized in Gulu. The cases in Mbarara and Masindi districts have resulted from persons infected in Gulu district. Once the EHF cases were recognized, control measures were implemented promptly to limit further spread in these districts. Surveillance in other districts throughout Uganda is ongoing.