KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — A child has died and two others have been infected with Ebola as the virus spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda.
After being diagnosed with the hemorrhagic fever two days ago, the boy was quarantined but died shortly. At least two accompanying family members have also been confirmed as being infected.
The outbreak started in the Democratic Republic of Congo almost a year ago and the virus has raged throughout the country.
The World Health Organization has been under pressure to declare an international emergency. The epidemic is the second-deadliest in history. The fatality rate of Ebola in this outbreak is at around 66 per cent.
The Telegraph reported a Ugandan health ministry official as saying, “The boy who tested positive for Ebola in Kasese yesterday passed on last night in the isolation unit.”
“The minister for health will be briefing the country about the death of the boy and arrangements to bury the body.”
WHO and the Uganda government are currently working to identify other people who may be at risk of infection.
The International Rescue Committee said the spread of the disease across an international border was a “clear signal that the international community must reset and redouble its efforts”.
Since August, there have been more than 2,000 confirmed and possible cases of the Ebola virus in DRC. There have been nearly 1,400 deaths. The disease is spread through contact with the bodily fluids, sweat or blood of those infected.
An experimental but effective Ebola vaccine is currently being widely used. More than 130,000 doses have already been distributed. Uganda has vaccinated nearly 4,700 health workers.
