Five Uganda Medics Infected With Ebola

At least five medical workers in Uganda have been confirmed to be infected with the Ebola virus as the outbreak continues to spread in the central region.

Dr Herbert Luswata, the secretary general of the Uganda Medical Association, told the BBC that the five were exposed to the virus in the first stages of the outbreak when there was less awareness and that they did not have sufficient protective gear.

All of them are currently receiving treatment at Mubende hospital, the main Ebola isolation centre.

A total of 24 people have been confirmed to be infected with the virus in the country, five of whom have died.

The Uganda Medical Association had previously called for Ebola hotspots to be put under quarantine to stop the further spread of the haemorrhagic viral disease.

In a statement on Tuesday, trainee medical workers said they would not return to work until all of them had been tested for Ebola and those found infected offered treatment.

The intern health workers had said they will strike until their working conditions improve.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to address the nation on the outbreak on Wednesday night.