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October 17, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Email: mediainfo@worldvision.org
World Vision marshalling staff, supplies to fight Uganda Ebola outbreak
Nearly 500 staff, volunteers spread prevention message as deadly disease threatens project areas
SEATTLE - World Vision has marshaled 75 staff and more than 400 community volunteers to alert residents of the northern Uganda district of Gulu about the deadly disease Ebola, which has killed 40 people over the past two weeks. The agency, already helping nearly 200,000 people or half of Gulu's population, also is providing intravenous supplies to local hospitals and protective gear for health workers and others in contact with those who have the highly contagious disease.
"People are frightened; they think the disease is caused by an evil spirit. They also don't know how to protect themselves," said Mark Avola, coordinator of World Vision's work in Gulu and member of a district-wide Ebola task force of government and private agencies. "Our greatest problems are lack of public awareness and suitable protective gear for health care staff."
World Vision staff are traveling through Gulu, a district of 400,000 people, to educate residents and refer suspected Ebola cases to hospitals.
Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids of infected persons, and causes sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, internal and external bleeding and organ failure. No specific treatment exists for Ebola, which kills 90 percent of those who contract the disease.
Since it was first identified in 1976, the disease has killed at least 800 people in Sudan, Zaire and elsewhere. The death toll in this outbreak has the potential to be many times higher, however, if Ebola spreads to densely populated areas of the district.
World Vision has worked in Gulu District since 1988 and supports medical, food, and community development projects, as well as a program helping former child soldiers. In all, World Vision helps nearly 200,000 people in the district. Avola said no World Vision-assisted children or their families have contracted the disease.
People wishing to donate to World Vision's Uganda Ebola Relief Program can click here to donate online, or else call (toll-free) 1-888-56CHILD, or send postal mail to:
World Vision
P.O. Box 70288
Tacoma, WA 98481-0288
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