6 August 2012 - The Ministry of Health in Uganda has reported a cumulative number of 59 suspected cases of Ebola including 16 deaths. Ten (10) cases have been laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe, of whom 6 were acute cases and 4 convalescent cases.
Currently 36 cases are admitted to an isolation facility in Kagadi hospital, Kibaale district, of whom 29 are in the convalescent ward and will soon be discharged.
Of the 398 contacts listed, 84 have completed 21 days, while 292 are still under active follow up. So far all samples from other districts have tested negative for Ebola. However a clinical officer who attended to a case in Kibaale district was transferred to Mulago Hospital in Kampala for treatment but later died. None of the seven health workers who attended to this fatal case has developed symptoms of the disease by day 16 of follow up. This indicates that there has been no expansion of the outbreak beyond Kibaale District.
Response
The Government of Uganda is continuing to work with a number of partners to control the outbreak.
At the central level the Prime Minister has established a Ministerial Task Force, chaired by the Minister of Health, to facilitate and coordinate the outbreak response. The Task Force addressed a well-attended press conference on Friday 3 August 2012.
In Kibaale district, the local health authorities are working through its task force with several partners to mobilize resources and supplies. These partners include WHO, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). WHO has deployed epidemiologists, infection control specialist, logisticians and supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) to Uganda.
Required funds for local operations are being mobilized. The government of Uganda has released 627 million UGX (approx. USD 250,000) to Kibaale district to support the response. Additional support is being received from the EMESCO Foundation (a local NGO), Members of Parliament from Kibaale district, the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) and World Vision.
With the support of MSF, the construction of a new isolation facility in Kagadi, Kibaale district has been completed. A ward for convalescent cases who are Ebola negative has been opened. The convalescent patients are receiving psychosocial support in preparation for discharge. WHO is supporting the provision of a discharge package to facilitate resettlement in the community?
Red Cross volunteers and village health teams are conducting social mobilization and public awareness activities. Additionally, public announcements are being disseminated in 11 local languages on 20 radio stations. WHO is facilitating the deployment of a medical anthropologist to assist in these activities.
Neighbouring countries
A number of countries neighbouring Uganda have taken proactive steps to enhance their surveillance to detect and respond to cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever. The neighbouring countries of Kenya, Rwanda South Sudan and Tanzania have investigated rumors of suspected cases. Both Kenya and Rwanda have investigated the rumors and ruled out Ebola. The governments of Kenya and South Sudan have issued guidance to the general public and also activated their national task force to undertake enhanced surveillance. Tanzania is still investigating the rumors.
WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions are applied to Uganda. http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/dpc/epidemic-a-pandemic-alert-and-response/outbreak-news/3650-ebola-outbreak-in-uganda-as-of-06-august-2012.html
