Audio By Carbonatix
The World Health Organization’s office in sub-Saharan Africa says the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda was detected late.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the patient could have developed symptoms in August but it was not immediately picked up as an Ebola case.
At least 24 people have so far tested positive for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, which has left four people dead.
Dr Patrick Otim, who is overseeing the Ebola response in Uganda, told the BBC that response teams on the ground are finding it difficult to identify patient zero.
This is because by the time Uganda declared the outbreak several deaths had already been reported in the community - with many more having attended funerals.
Dr Otim said it is suspected that these deaths could have been caused by the Ebola outbreak.
The symptoms of the Sudan strain are similar to other diseases such as malaria and typhoid, which are endemic in the affected areas, and is proving a challenge to medics.
There is no vaccine for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, as this type of outbreak is rare.
The only available vaccine is effective against the Zaire strain that has caused outbreaks in West Africa and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Latest Stories
-
From Kantamanto to the TEDx Stage: How waste became innovation
5 seconds -
MMDCEs charged to ensure Landing Beach Committees do not sell premix fuel beyond approved prices
52 minutes -
The Inconvenient Truth: Democracy does not fail in The Chamber, it fails in the Committee Room
1 hour -
There is absolutely nothing wrong with what the Chief Justice said
1 hour -
App launched to help Ghanaians verify prospective partners’ marital status before marriage
2 hours -
‘I have gone through a lot these past 2 days’ – A-Plus reveals after New Winneba violence
2 hours -
DBG takes GH¢2.5bn development funding beyond Accra as it pushes industrial transformation
2 hours -
Vice President Jane Opoku-Agyemang calls for accurate teaching of slavery history in schools
2 hours -
Ghana has duty to preserve slave-trade sites and tell their full story – Vice President
2 hours -
West Africa can be self-sufficient in rice production – John Dumelo
2 hours -
Over 300 arrested over extremist recruitment attempts along northern border – Agalga
2 hours -
Housing Minister seeks shorter construction period for Kaneshie–First Light Road works
2 hours -
Ghana cannot afford complacency over extremist threats – Agalga
2 hours -
African leaders call for decisive investments to deliver a more sustainable food system for the continent
2 hours -
Ahmed Ibrahim orders traffic plan ahead of Pamprom Junction road closure
2 hours