Via CIDRAP: NEWS SCAN: Tamiflu benefits, pertussis surge in UK, change in meningitis reporting, Uganda Ebola update, persistent hospital bug. Excerpt:
In the most recent update on Uganda's Ebola outbreak, the health ministry reported seven infections and four deaths, a decrease from the number of cases reported on Nov 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.
Some of the cases reported on Nov 23 were listed as probable, and testing has ruled out some of them, the WHO said. The earlier update said 10 cases (six confirmed and four probable) had been reported.
Today's update also reflects one less death than the five reported in the earlier update. The WHO said field teams are continuing to investigate suspected cases reported by communities, but they are facing a major challenge because some communities believe witchcraft, not Ebola, is the cause of the deaths despite ongoing intensive awareness campaigns about the disease.
Social mobilization teams are working with traditional healers and religious leaders to boost awareness of Ebola prevention and control, according to the WHO.
