Kampala, Uganda -- The Ebola virus has killed 14 people in western Uganda this month, Ugandan health officials said Saturday.

For the past few weeks, people have been troubled with a mysterious disease that has sent some to the hospital and forced others to leave their home.

Until Saturday, the Ebola outbreak was just a rumor. Researchers ran tests that came back inconclusive, but later found the disease is caused by the Ebola virus.

The 14 dead were among 20 peope with the disease. Two infected have been isolated, and a clinical officer and her 4-month-old baby died from the disease.

The national emergency taskforce has been set up to keep the disease from spreading.

The outbreak brings back terrible memories for Ugandans. In 2000, the virus killed 224 people in the country.

There is currently no cure or vaccine for the Ebola virus.

Ebola is highly infectious and kills quickly. Scientists don't know the natural reservoir of the virus, but they think the first victim in an outbreak gets infected through contact with an infected animal.

The virus can be transmitted in several ways, including through direct contact with the blood of an infected person.

USA Today, AP