Two people from northern Italy are being tested for possible Ebola after developing a high fever, vomiting, and stomach problems shortly after returning from Uganda. The Sun and several Italian media outlets reported the case.
The two individuals had been working as aid workers in Uganda for around three months. They are now being treated at a specialist hospital in Milan, where doctors are carrying out tests.
Italian authorities have activated additional emergency measures while waiting for the test results.
Disease spreading
At the same time, growing concern surrounds the situation in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the number of infections is rising rapidly and that health authorities are struggling to keep up.
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According to WHO, nearly 1,000 suspected cases have been recorded since mid-May. Several hundred people have died during the outbreak.
Areas near the borders between Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo are being monitored particularly closely.
No confirmation yet
Italian authorities stress that Ebola has not yet been confirmed in the two patients.
Doctors are also investigating whether the symptoms could be caused by severe malaria.
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However, WHO has already declared the outbreak in Central Africa an international health emergency. There is currently no approved vaccine for the virus variant involved in the outbreak.
The results from the hospital in Milan are expected to determine whether the two patients are linked to the growing Ebola outbreak in Africa.
Sources: The Sun and WHO.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.