Uganda’s health ministry on Tuesday announced that the deadly Ebola virus has broken out in the central part of the country.

According to local authorities, a person was admitted to Mubende regional referral hospital on Thursday after presenting Ebola symptoms and died on Monday.

The authorities said six other deaths are being investigated after local communities reported people dying after strange illnesses.

In August, Uganda intensified surveillance on its western border after the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced an Ebola case in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The ministry, however, added that the risk of disease spread was high in 21 bordering districts.

According to the ministry of health, Uganda has had over five Ebola outbreaks in the last two decades, mostly along its western regions close to the DRC.

The Ebola virus is highly contagious and causes various symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, generalized pain or malaise, and internal and external bleeding.

According to the WHO, the fatality rate for those who contract Ebola ranges from 50 per cent to 89 per cent, depending on the viral sub-type.

In August, Uganda intensified surveillance on its western border following a reported Ebola case in the neighbouring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The government also intensified risk communication in the border districts.

Allan Muruta, the commissioner in charge of epidemics at the ministry, told local media that the risk of disease spread was high in 21 bordering districts. 

(Xinhua/NAN)