Uganda: Health Minister Urges Calm, Ebola Stemmed

BY ERIOSI NANTABA, 19 NOVEMBER 2012 — The Ministry of health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other stake holders have mounted a quick response to contain a fresh outbreak of Ebola in Central Uganda.

The response follows confirmation of another Viral Hemorrhagic fever (Ebola) outbreak in Luwero district (75 km north of Kampala city) after two people from the same family died of Ebola.

According to the Minister of Health, Christine Ondoa, a total of three people have since the onset of the outbreak died in Luwero and have seen the ministry move fast to contain further outbreak.

"The ministry of health and its partners have to this effect moved fast and beefed up necessary measures to control the spread of this highly contagious disease including creating an isolation facility in the area and reopening the existing at Mulago National referral hospital," said Ondoa.

The first Ebola case died on October 25 and the second followed on November 10 with other five suspects closely monitored by the surveillance team.

"Those admitted have an epidemiological link with the index family and nursed the earlier two who were confirmed to have died of the disease," minister added. "Collection of samples from suspect and probable cases has already commenced as two samples from the suspected cases admitted at Mulago hospital."

WHO Disease Prevention and Control Advisor, Dr Miriam Nanyunja urged Ugandans to respect Ebola preventive measure against the disease especially isolation and social distancing.

"Capacity is boosted in terms of surveillance teams and equipment to hold the spread of the disease," Nanyunja said.

She warned that currently WHO does not recommend any travel ban to Uganda since the outbreak is highly contained.        

The last outbreak of Ebola occurred in July this year with an estimated 17 deaths in western Uganda.  http://allafrica.com/stories/201211191399.html?