Ebola: 127 health workers quarantined in Uganda

Government has intensified efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak after 127 health workers and other individuals who had contact with Ebola patients were traced and isolated.

According to information from the Ministry of Health, Uganda recorded two imported cases of Ebola Sudan Virus Disease in Kampala. One of the patients is currently receiving treatment at the Ebola isolation and treatment unit in Mulago. Both patients are said to be from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The index case, a Congolese national, died on May 14 at Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, where he had gone for treatment. His body was later transported back to the DRC the same day.

Mr Alan Kasujja, Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre and head of communications in the Ebola response, told the Daily Monitor that so far no person residing in Uganda has tested positive for Ebola. He said 127 contacts had been identified, traced, and isolated.

“The contacts are mainly health workers who treated the patient and the driver who transported them to hospital. They have all been traced, identified and placed under quarantine. None has tested positive,” he said.

Kasujja added that Uganda has strengthened preventive measures, including postponing the Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations and increasing screening at entry points to control the spread of the disease.

He emphasized that no Ugandan resident has been infected and said the Ministry of Health is well experienced in handling such outbreaks, noting that Uganda performs better than many more advanced countries in managing epidemics.

He further urged the international community to direct more attention to eastern DRC, where the outbreak originated, rather than focusing on Uganda following travel and health alerts issued by some countries.

Dr Tonny Musoke Sekikongo, a consultant physician at the Mulago Ebola Treatment Unit, explained that it takes between 2 to 21 days for a person infected with the Ebola Sudan strain to show symptoms. Early signs include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes red eyes.

He added that as the illness progresses, usually after four days, more severe symptoms may develop, including sore throat, chest pain, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

The Ministry of Health has urged the public to report any suspected Ebola cases through the toll-free line 0800-100-066 or via free SMS to 6767.