Uganda at high risk for Ebola as screening resumes at DRC border

Uganda has resumed screening for Ebola at the border neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The exercise had been halted when the border closed for presidential elections in DRC.

Ministry of Health spokesperson person told Pulse Live Uganda that screening for Ebola resumed on the border as Congolese cross into Uganda.

"We are at high risk because of the high influx of people from Democratic Republic of Congo," Emma Ainebyona said on phone.

He added: "We are alert and we have put in place all necessary measures to curb the outbreak of Ebola."

DRC's ministry of health reported 608 probable number of patients with 368 on Wednesday.

Ebola causes fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, internal and external bleeding.

Vaccination

Last year in November, Uganda started administering the experimental Ebola vaccine to health care workers along the DRC border.

Uganda's minister for health said there were over 2,100 doses of the vaccine available at the National Medical Stores.

The vaccine is being used outside of clinical trials and is given to medical care workers after consent.

Also Read: Plane skids off runway at Entebbe Airport