By
The Associated Press
KAMPALA, Uganda - Ugandan officials recorded another death from the deadly Ebola virus in the southwest of the country yesterday, while 14 others died from the highly contagious virus in the north, health officials said.
The Ebola outbreak - Uganda's first - originated in the town of Gulu, 225 miles north of Kampala, with the first of hundreds of victims showing symptoms in September. Seventeen new cases were reported Monday, said Francis Omaswa, director general of health services.
In all, 145 people have now died of the disease.
Authorities had hoped to keep the disease from spreading beyond Gulu. But since Nov. 12, four people have died in the town of Masindi, southwest of Gulu, including one death Saturday, said Dr. Imaan Mutyaba, a medical supervisor. Four others have died of Ebola in the town of Mbarara.
The fever caused by the Ebola virus is transmitted through body fluids. The disease can cause severe hemorrhagic fever and is often fatal. While there is no cure, patients aggressively treated for dehydration have a good chance of survival.
