08/16/2012

“There is Ebola is Uganda. No sign-of-peace in the Church”

Uganda, Ebola strikes again

These are the words of Sister Annette Kyaligonza who coordinates the health operations in the diocese struck by the virus

Davide Demichelisrome

Ebola strikes again in Uganda. The latest haemorrhagic fever outbreak has caused the death of 16 people in the last few months in the Kibaale district, just over two hundred kilometres from the capital city, Kampala. “As soon as the authorities released the news of this new epidemic outbreak, people panicked. In church we had to forbid shaking hands in sign of peace to avoid the risk of contagion” said Sister Annette Kyaligonza who coordinates the health operations in the diocese of Hoima, which includes areas stuck by the virus.

The Ebola virus was first identified in 1976, between South Sudan and the northern part of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of the Congo. The haemorrhagic fever causes death in 70% of reported cases. It seems that the virus is transmittable through direct contact with the blood, liquids or even just the undergarments worn by infected people. It seems that the first carriers of the disease were wild animals: monkeys, antelopes or bats. The origin and spread of Ebola are not yet clear, what is known for sure is that there are no cures or vaccines that can defeat the virus.
There have been 60 people hit by Ebola in the Kibaale district so far. Many are still in isolation in the Kagadi hospital. The first victim was a young girl of 16.?? She died on the 12th of June??, a week after being hospitalized. She had gone deep in the forest to carry out some research??. The Ugandan Health Ministry, the World Health Organization and some non-governmental organizations acted in aid of the population.
“ First of all we tried to raise awareness among the medical staff working in clinics and small health centres in the outskirts, they are the first to come in contact with the sick”. Sister Annette emphasizes that awareness is more important than medicines “Even those who make it through are then ostracized for fear that they can spread the disease. We are raising awareness among people so that these individuals can return to their communities of origin”.
A phone service has been set up as well as a radio programme and various teams of expert personnel who visit the families.

Unfortunately one can never be too careful, admits Sister Annette: “ A nurse in the health centre of Muhorro was infected by a patient. She is now in hospital in Kagadi, it seems that her situation is improving”. Ebola has already struck Uganda twice, in 2000 and 2007, causing approximately 200 deaths. In both instances the emergency lasted between two and three months.   http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/world-news/detail/articolo/uganda-17497