The Ministry of Health has Saturday confirmed that the strange and contagious disease that broke out in Nyamarunda sub-county in Kibaale district late last month is Ebola.
The Director General of Health Services Dr. D.K.W Lwamafa told press at the Ministry’s headquarters in Kampala that after through tests of samples from patients, the ministry confirmed the outbreak of Ebola.
Lwamafa further said this type of Ebola had originated from Sudan.
He appealed to Ugandans to remain vigilant to avoid contracting the disease.
Early this week, the Health Ministry reported that surveillance reports from the investigations undertaken by its experts, Kibaale district and international partners had indicated that 21 people were affected with 13 deaths since June 21.
The cases were reported largely from one family in Nyansigwa village in Nyamarunda parish.
“Preliminary investigations show that it is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted from one person to another and can easily cause death,” Lwamafa said then.
Speaking to journalists today, Lwamafa said samples obtained from the cases and laboratory testing carried out in the Central Public Health Laboratory and at the Uganda Virus Research Institute confirmed Ebola.
“The general public is hereby cautioned to avoid public gatherings especially in the affected district and sick people are advised to promptly seek for medical care at the nearest health facility,” said Lwamafa.
He also noted the Ministry of Health team; working with partners is already on the ground to support the district to manage the Ebola outbreak.
He added burial of suspicious community deaths should be done under close supervision of district health workers and all suspicious deaths should be reported to the health workers.
