Ebola, the highly deadly virus made infamous by the film and book The Hot Zone has re-emerged in western Uganda.
Here’s a clip from Kenya’s NTV news (or, if you prefer, you can watch two guys at CNN talk about it):
Though horrible in terms of its effects on most of those infected, the outbreak reportedly has so far killed only 14. Ebola outbreaks often burn out fairly quickly because the virus kills its victims so quickly, reducing the spread of the virus. The AIDS virus, for example, spreads much better because it takes so long to sicken its host.
This time, however, people are a bit more worried given that someone with Ebola, apparently infected in the west, turned up in the nation’s capital city of Kampala. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni responded by making an urgent public plea:
“Ebola spreads by contact when you contact each other physically… avoid shaking of hands, because that can cause contact through sweat, which can cause problems,” said Yoweri Museveni. “Do not take on burying somebody who has died from symptoms that look like Ebola — instead call health workers because they know how to do it… avoid promiscuity because this sickness can also go through sex.”
