Posted on Monday, 19 November 2012 15:52
This is the first time the disease has been reported near Kampala, triggering panic in the city.
As if to mitigate the virus, Kampala citizens have stopped shaking each other's hand while greeting and most people now fear attending public gatherings.
The health ministry confirmed the deaths, in one week, of the six in Luwero District, 25 kilometres from Kampala.
Ironically, the latest outbreak comes barely a month after the World Health Organisation declared Uganda Ebola free.
This was after the eradication of the disease in in Kibale District about 350 kilometres from Kampala, which killed more than 20 people.
"News of an Ebola outbreak in a district near Kampala has scared many people. Few people go to bars and restaurants," Peter Baine, a local council official, said.
A medical worker, Dr Willy Isabirye said, "Now that the disease is near Kampala, we are scared that it might soon infect people in slum areas. Once it reaches the slums, it will be difficult to contain."
In response, the government has banned public gatherings in Luwero District.
A health ministry spokesperson, Rukia Nakamatte said meetings such as galas, open market, music concerts and attending burial ceremonies of those confirmed of dying from the disease were prohibited.
"People who go to places of worship should be very cautious," she advised.
She condemned villagers who still think the disease is due to witchcraft.
Nakamatte said some people, on being infected by the disease, sought treatment from traditional doctors, instead of going to hospitals.
A medical officer in Luwero said some of the deaths from the virus could have been avoided, had the infections been reported earlier.
Ebola is highly contagious disease, characterised by internal bleeding, vomiting, diarrhoea, high fever and headaches.
http://www.theafricareport.com/society-and-culture/uganda-fresh-ebola-outbreak-raises-fears-virus-is-nearing-kampala.html
