Deadly virus kills 13 in Uganda

London, July 29 (IANS) An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has killed at least 13 people in Uganda, BBC reported.

The outbreak began in late June but has only just been confirmed as Ebola.

The cases were reported in Kibaale district, about 170 km to the west of the capital Kampala.

Officials said most were linked to one family, who may have contracted the virus while attending a funeral.

Ebola is one of the most virulent diseases in the world. It is spread by close personal contact, and kills up to 90 percent of those infected.

There is no vaccine for the virus. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and impaired kidneys.

More than 1,200 deaths from the virus have been recorded since it was discovered in 1976.

Uganda has seen three major outbreaks over the past 12 years. The deadliest was in 2000 when 425 people were infected, more than half of them died.