Last week, we reported that a mysterious illness had left 13 dead in northern Uganda. This week, the death toll has risen to 38 with dozens hospitalized, yet officials are still uncertain as to the cause, although tentative testing have confirmed it as pneumonic plague. Ebola, typhoid and several other diseases have been ruled out. The first case was identified in early November and since, over 90 people have been treated. Symptoms include severe headaches and dizziness and eventually bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Officials say the disease has been detected in five districts in the northern part of the country. However, with vast impoverishment and inadequate health facilities, it may take weeks before response teams arrive and implement control efforts.
