By David Gold
August 14 – Malawi have cancelled an international with Uganda which was due to take place tomorrow due to an outbreak of Ebola.
The deadly virus has killed 16 people in Uganda since the end of July, prompting the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to cancel the game.
“We have cancelled the friendly on advice from the [Malawi] Government following the escalation of the Ebola disease in Uganda,” the FAM said in a statement.
Malawi contacted the World Health Organisation (WHO) for advice before taking the step of cancelling the match, which was due to take place at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, in the south of Malawi.
Ebola, which broke out in the Kibale district, cannot be cured, although the country says the problem is under control.
However, the incubation period for virus is three weeks, and with hundreds possibly affected Malawi decided the risk was too great to play the match, particularly with qualifiers for the 2013 African Nations Cup just around the corner.
Malawi face Ghana in the first leg of their second round qualification tie next month, while Uganda are set to take on Zambia.
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