Fears grow over mystery heart-swelling outbreak that’s killed at least 14 people and left 40 ill
A MYSTERIOUS rash disease has claimed the lives of 14 people in Uganda, Africa.
Those who died and the 40 others who have been infected in the landlocked country developed rashes on their skin and some had swollen limbs.
The unknown disease is being investigated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) after doctors have been unable to identify it.
So far, health officials believe it was passed on from animals.
At first, medics had first suspected anthrax, a serious bacterial infection typically found in soil.
But tests have since ruled out anthrax, said Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, according to the Telegraph.
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He said: “We have a disease killing people, but we don’t know. We call it an unknown disease.
“But what we know is it is coming from animals because at the same time in the same area, animals are dying.
“We conducted some studies, thinking about anthrax, but it’s not anthrax, but for sure there is a linkage between animals and humans.”
Regina Nakalyango, a local councillor, told the Daily Monitor, a Ugandan paper, that cases were rising daily and many people had lost hope of surviving.
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She said: “People in our villages are living in fear due to the impact of this strange disease."
Dr Edward Muwanga, the district health officer, told the daily paper the disease may be cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain.
If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems including tissue death (gangrene), swelling of the heart, sepsis or death.
“We are still waiting for the next set of results, but looking at the signs and symptoms, it may be cellulitis killing the people,” he said.
What is cellulitis and what are the symptoms?
Cellulitis is a skin infection of the deeper layers of skin and the underlying tissue.
The infection develops suddenly and can spread through the body quickly, and it can be life-threatening.
The skin can be hot, red, swollen, painful and tender, and these symptoms are often accompanied by a fever, shaking, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and confusion.
Cellulitis is usually treated with antibiotics.
You can get cellulitis on any part of your body, such as your hands, feet, legs and eyes.
Source: NHS