The announcement was made by Minister of State for Health (General Duties), Hon. Anifa Kawooya on Tuesday, September 20 while presenting a statement before Parliament on the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Mubende, 150 kilometres west from the capital, Kampala.
Gov’t urges Ugandans to take extra care as Ebola attacks Mubende district
The government of Uganda has asked Ugandans to take extra care in the wake of the Ebola outbreak in Mubende district.
Recommended articles
The Ministry of Health says that the September 19, the confirmed index case of Ebola died in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital and the body is still being kept separate from others and awaiting a dignified burial. She
The minister told the House that more information is still being gathered concerning the possible source of infection and contacts for the confirmed case.
She said that the Ministry of Health has strengthened its efforts to prevent further spread of the Ebola Virus within the country by dispatching the National Rapid Response Team to support the District Rapid Response Team in responding to the outbreak.
Surveillance and contact tracing including tracing contacts of the confirmed cases, screening travelers at both designated and undesignated Points of Entry and active case search both within communities and health facilities are other measures being employed.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health will intensify risk communication and community engagement to increase awareness of the disease among the communities.
On the mysterious deaths of six people in Madudu and Kiruma sub-counties, the minister said that they could confirm whether they were as a result of Ebola.
Kawooya asked Ugandans to remain calm but very vigilant and report suspected cases of Ebola signs and symptoms. She said that she is confident the Ministry of Health and partners will contain the outbreak.
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulse.ug