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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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