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Take Adequate Precaution Against Ebola, Ugandan Muslims Warned

by Medindia Content Team on Dec 12 2007 4:34 PM

Taking an important step to prevent the spread of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has advised Muslims to stop the ritual of washing dead bodies.

Nearly 29 people have died in Bundibugyo and 113 persons have been infected with the deadly Ebola outbreak. 10 districts have been put on high alert fearing an outbreak.

The disease spreads after contact with the infected person’s body fluids; therefore washing an infected persons dead body could be an easy way to spread the infection. This is a move taken by the Health authorities to contain the spread of the lethal Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic in the Bundibugyo district.

In a request by the Ministry of Health to stop such a religious ritual, UMSC spokesman Hajji Nsereko Mutumba said: "Much as the Koran tells us to bury bodies which are clean, it discourages people from committing suicide. Washing an Ebola victim would mean one is committing suicide."

He further advised Muslims in the Ebola endemic areas to avoid sharing vessels, especially ones used for prayers.

A 42 year old special police constable has been admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea and vomiting and is a suspected Ebola case. His admission to the hospital caused a scare among other patients, causing 20 of them to leave the hospital. Some of the patients ran out of the hospital with drips attached to their hands.

Doctors attending on patients in the hospital explained the non availability of sufficient protective gears and non availability of water and electricity in the hospitals, which could fuel the spread of the infection.

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Source-Medindia
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