Discovery News
Officials
in northern Uganda, the site of the most recent outbreak of deadly
Ebola virus, issued an appeal on Tuesday for the government to
dispatch military troops to the region to help fight the spread
of the disease. The request stated, "We would like to see
support from military medical teams as it is a constitutional
obligation for the military to help in national emergencies and
disasters."
Ronald Reagan
Okumu, Gulu member of parliament, stressed that all available
health resources in the area were focused on the fight against
the virulent hemorrhagic disease, causing other diseases to be
ignored.
At least 160
people have died of massive bleeding from the illness since the
outbreak was first identified in Gulu in mid-October.
One of the
most serious issues in the spread of the highly contagious disease
is the traditional practice of communal bathing of the deceased
before burial. Friends and family members take place in the ritual,
which is being strongly advised against by health authorities.
Victims of Ebola remain contagious for several days following
their death.
The spread
of Ebola to Masindi has been traced back to the funeral of a victim
during which numerous mourners engaged in the traditional funereal
bathing ritual. At least 14 of the attendees have since died.
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