Quoting figures from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, WHO said in a statement issued in Geneva that the number of cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever reported to date in Uganda's Gulu district had reached 176, including 64 deaths. Current aid efforts are concentrating on increasing public awareness of the disease and limiting its spread.

"A radio communications centre has been established in Gulu," the health agency said. "Twenty hand-held radios have been dispersed to mobile [health care] teams who are now able to inform the centre quickly of suspected cases and contacts, request transport for ill persons and request burial teams."

So far, the National Task Force for the Control of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers has not confirmed any Ebola cases outside Gulu district, WHO said, adding that although it supported enhanced surveillance, it did not recommend any special restrictions on travel or trade with Uganda.

In Saudi Arabia, where the Ministry of Health says Rift Valley fever has infected 443 people, killing 85, there appears to be a "declining trend" in the rate of occurrence of the disease, WHO said. "All cases occurred in Jizan and Asir provinces and the disease has not spread to the north-west area of the country."