Health ministry seeks Shs1.8b to fight outbreak of Marburg
Posted Wednesday, October 24 2012 at 01:00
IN SUMMARY
The money if approved will be used to purchase drug supplies, protective gear, pay allowances for health workers and handle emergencies that may accrue from the outbreak. KAMPALA/KABALE
The Ministry of Health yesterday announced an emergency plan to fight Marburg in Kabale District. At least six people have died from the Marburg virus while at least 100 others are under surveillance, according to the Ministry of Health.
Ms Rukia Nakamatte, the ministry spokesperson, said a Shs1.8 billion supplementary budget was being sought to contain the disease. She said the money, if approved, will be used to purchase drug supplies, protective gear, allowances for health workers, as well as handle other emergencies that may accrue during the outbreak.
Meanwhile, health officials in Kabale have confirmed that a mortuary attendant, Jarson Tumukunde, who died early this month, succumbed to the Marburg fever. This is after four of his close family members developed signs of the virus this week.
Tumukunde 28, died on October 8 after having handled bodies of the first two victims who died late last month.
Late Tumukunde’s wife, mother and a sister were admitted at Rushoroza Health Centre III isolation centre yesterday. “The number of cases admitted at Rushoroza Health Centre III isolation centre is now seven and a total of 123 people that got in contact with the deceased persons are being closely monitored,” Dr Patrick Tusiime, a district official, said.
He added: “The situation is becoming complicated every day because I have been told that a security guard at one of the petrol stations in Kabale Town is hiding somewhere with signs similar to the virus. A new case has been reported in Bukora Village in Kitumba Sub-county. The surveillance team has been dispatched.”
Dr Tusiime said a team of health workers from Gulu, Bundibugyo and Kagadi hospitals has joined experts from World Health Organisation, UPDF and Ministry of Health, who have been on the ground since last week, to fight the virus.
In a related case, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has advised tourists to take precaution as they visit national parks in the wake of the outbreak of Marburg in the country. UWA’s acting executive director Andrew Seguya told Daily Monitor yesterday that a task force has been set up to sensitise the public on precautionary measures. http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Health+ministry+seeks+Shs1+8b+to+fight+outbreak+of+Marburg/-/688334/1593590/-/lgngyc/-/index.html