President Yoweri Museveni has allayed fears that the deadly Ebola virus has been confirmed in Kampala City.
This follows recent rumours and speculations that the virus has spread to Kampala, specifically Kiruddu Hospital.
“I would like to inform the general public that there is no confirmed case of Ebola in Kampala City,” Museveni said in his public address on Wednesday night. However, Museveni warned the public against a reckless lifestyle, saying the virus could spread if standard operating procedures are not followed.
“As I already indicated to you above, a confirmed case was admitted at Kiruddu Hospital from Mubende and died. Twenty Four people have been listed as contacts and are under quarantine. This event shows you the possibility of Ebola erupting in Kampala if we are not vigilant and people remain defiant to medical advice,” he said.
Apparently, there are so many people reporting signs and symptoms similar to Ebola within Kampala and Wakiso. He said several such alert cases have been tested and the results have turned out to be negative.
Museveni has urged patients who manifest with ebola signs and symptoms to desist going to the shrines as it has been the case in Mubende, but rather alert the medical surveillance teams.
This is President Museveni’s second state of the nation address on Ebola since its outbreak in Mubende District in mid September 2022. As of yesterday, 12th October, a total of 54 cases of Ebola had been confirmed and 19 deaths. 20 people have since recovered including 5 health workers who were discharged on Tuesday from Entebbe Isolation facility who were brought from Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital.
President’s Advice on Ebola;
- The health workers MUST use appropriate protective wear (gloves, aprons, masks) whenever they are examining patients. PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF.
- The witch doctors, traditional healers and herbalists should not accept sick people in your shrines or places of treatment. Advise them to call health workers for safe transfer to hospitals.
- Religious leaders should not accept sick people with symptoms of Ebola who come seeking for healing prayers because when you touch them, you will contract Ebola. Advise them to call health workers for safe transfer to hospitals
- Boda boda riders should be vigilant and not carry sick people with signs and symptoms of Ebola. Advise them to call for an ambulance.
- The Security supporting the response teams in the districts must be very vigilant and ensure no Ebola patients in treatment centers or contacts in the quarantine facility escape. In addition, they should dress up in protective wear and arrest contacts who refuse to be taken to isolation.
