| It’s red alert over possible Ebola case | Send to a friend |
| Sunday, 05 August 2012 02:42 |
 By Joas Kaijage, The Citizen CorrespondentBukoba. A state of alert has been imposed along the Tanzania border with Uganda following fears over a suspected outbreak of Ebola in Kagera Region. However, medical personnel said the case was yet to be confirmed until samples from a six-year-old boy admitted to Nyakahanga hospital in Karagwe will be sent for further laboratory tests in Uganda. In an exclusive interview with The Citizen on Sunday, the Karagwe District medical officer, Dr Elias Mayala, said the patient from Nyakatuntu Village has been under quarantine in an isolated room at Nyakahanga hospital awaiting confirmation of the tests. In the interim, Dr Mayala said, district authorities had mounted a strict surveillance of the Mutukula and Murongo border posts. This includes deployment of medical personnel to stop the disease from spreading to Tanzania. He said among other routines, the medical personnel at the border posts were responsible for holding awareness raising meetings on the deadly disease. They were also ensuring that they detect early enough possible cases among visitors crossing to the other side. He said along with the efforts, local FM radio stations in the area have been engaged in disseminating messages on prevention. They are especially used to create awareness of its symptoms and how it spreads among border communities. “In fact, it is not correct to say there is an outbreak of Ebola following this particular suspicion, but strict measures are inevitable to stop the disease from spreading to our side,” said Dr Mayala. Since the reported incident, authorities in Karagwe have also been carrying out investigations to uncover more information. They wish to know whether there is any other related cases near the village in Kieran District where the victim allegedly comes from. An employee at the Nyakahanga hospital, who declined to be named because he was not the spokesperson, said the admitted Ebola- suspected child was placed under quarantine along with his mother. The employee said the child had clear signs of Ebola, including bleeding profusely through his ears and nose when relatives brought him to the Karagwe District Designated Hospital. http://thecitizen.co.tz/sunday-citizen/40-sunday-citizen-news/24625-its-red-alert-over-possible-ebola-case.html |
