October 24 2012 at 18:15
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has issued a warning to tourists visiting national parks, especially those that are habitants for primates, to take precaution following an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the country.
The authority’s acting executive director, Dr Andrew Seguya, told Daily Monitor on Tuesday that a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary National Taskforce has been put in place to, among other actions, mobilise and sensitise the public on precautionary measures like including wearing protective gowns, gloves and masks, and not to use skin piercing equipment used by Marburg infected persons.
He added that there have not been any cases of trip cancellation so far. He, however, added that some tourists might cancel trips if the disease is not contained.
The Ministry of Health last week declared an outbreak of the Marburg virus in Kabale district, with five people confirmed to have died of the disease.
Four more people are admitted at Rushoroza Health centre III while another 40 people are under surveillance.
The Marburg virus disease is reported to be transmitted through bodily fluids such as saliva and blood of an infected person, along with getting in touch with infected wild animals such as monkeys.
Mr Cuthbert Baguma, the executive director of the Uganda Tourism Board says there is no need to panic despite the fact that one of the cases occurred in a tourism attraction area.
Kabale district is on the way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Other attractions in the area include Ihimba Hot Springs and Lake Bunyonyi.
Mr Baguma further said that UTB together with other industry players is conducting an impact assessment to determine the effect it has had on tourism.
Hopes for a successful year were dampened in the tourism sector recently after tourists reportedly cancelled trips following an Ebola outbreak in Kibaale National Park. http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Marburg+Virus++UWA+warns+tourists/-/688334/1594174/-/xgiiwa/-/index.html
