DATE=11/06/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=W-H-O / EBOLA (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268889

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Two more people have died from the Ebola virus in northern Uganda (during the past 24 hours), raising the death toll from the current outbreak to 92. But the World Health Organization - the W-H-O - says chances of the disease spreading further are slim. Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.

TEXT: The World Health Organization sent a team of experts to Mbarara to investigate the suspected cases. Their tests show that two people who were in contact with a soldier who died of the disease on Thursday are now infected with the virus themselves.

One of the W-H-O's experts on communicable diseases, Mike Ryan, says everyone who came in contact with the soldier is under observation. So far, he says, no further cases have occurred.

/// 1ST RYAN ACT ///

We can be very sure of one thing, that we have had a very rapid and aggressive response in the Mbarara district. And we have identified all the potential contacts and anyone who could possibly have got the disease in that situation. And we will be ready to deal with any further cases. We don't expect further cases, but we are ready to deal with them if they occur.

/// END ACT ///

Dr. Ryan has just returned to Geneva from Gulu in northern Uganda, where he has been coordinating the Ebola surveillance and response effort. The epidemic was first confirmed in Gulu on October 14th.

Ebola is highly contagious and is spread by contact with bodily fluids. There is no treatment for the disease, but aggressive rehydration therapy - giving victims large quantities of water - often can save lives.

Dr. Ryan says the number of cases in Gulu has been rising, but he is optimistic that the disease is under control.

/// 2ND RYAN ACT ///

The epidemic is beginning to come under control. Certainly, the numbers of cases we are seeing are starting to fall. It is too early to say that the outbreak is over. It is very important to remember in an Ebola outbreak that we cannot declare the outbreak over until 42 days after the last recorded case. That allows a full two maximum incubation periods before we can say there are no further cases.

/// END ACT ///

Dr. Ryan says the key to ending the Ebola epidemic is to break the cycle of transmission. He says this is done by identifying people who have come in contact with an infected person and rapidly isolating them. (Signed)

NEB/LS/GE/WTW