KAMPALA -- The ministry of health reported that the most recent ebola outbreak in the district of Kibaale has already claimed 16 lives while more than 176 others are under close monitoring. Among these are 13 health workers and seven doctors who attended to their colleague who traveled from Kibaale to Kampala to seek medical attention after treating infected patients. Last month, residents in the village of Nyanswiga, considered as the epicenter of the ongoing outbreak, dealt with a mysterious illness that was killing their own. The victims showed symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, red eyes, rash and even bleeding from body openings. On July 28, lab results confirmed the disease as Ebola. President Yoweri Museveni urged the public to be vigilant and avoid physical contact. Authorities in Kibaale shut down more than 200 schools in the counties of Buyanja, Buyaga East and Buyaga West, ahead of the official closing date on Friday. In an attempt to stem the further spread of panic, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Uganda Ministry of Health declared that the outbreak can be controlled. They also called on other countries to refrain from issuing travel and trade restrictions to Uganda. At present, there is no cure or vaccine against Ebola. Infected patients need intensive care since they usually suffer from dehydration.