An Ebola isolation unit at Mulago Hospital which is being rehabilitated
to accommodate Marburg patients. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA
By Agatha Ayebazibwe
Posted Tuesday, October 7 2014 at 01:00
Posted Tuesday, October 7 2014 at 01:00
In Summary
On alert. Marburg samples picked Mpingi District to be examined by the virus institute. P.45 Marburg suspects reported
Kampala. The Ministry of Health
yesterday sent five more samples of the suspected Marburg fever to the
Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for more tests after they
presented signs of the disease.
On Sunday, the ministry confirmed a health worker had succumbed to the disease following laboratory tests done on September 30.
The ministry is also awaiting results of a sample from the deceased’s brother, who has so far been listed as having developed signs of the deadly disease. He has since been quarantined and isolated for further monitoring.
According to the World Health Organisation country representative, Dr Alemu Wondimagegnehu, the five samples were drawn from people who were in contact with the deceased while at Mpingi Health Centre IV.
“The information we got from the team on the ground is that the five presented with signs of the disease. The samples have been delivered at UVRI and results are expected soon,” Dr Wondimagegnehu told Daily Monitor in an interview.
A temporary isolation centre has been set up at Mpigi Health Centre IV where the suspected cases are being quarantined.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Asuman Lukwago, also said another 17 contacts have been identified in Kampala, bringing the total of those who were in contact with the deceased to 97.
“Our teams are still on the ground tracing all the possible contacts. Those who have been identified will be isolated in their homes for at least 21 days. If they show any signs such as fever and headache, then we take their samples for further tests,” Dr Lukwago told Daily Monitor.
He added that results of the six samples are expected in a few hours.
However, some officials have expressed concern over the ministry’s preparedness to handle the crisis, should it become a fully-fledged Marburg outbreak.
“The confirmatory test results were received at the Ministry of Health on September 30, but to date, the ministry has not released any money to facilitate the teams to respond appropriately,” said a source within the ministry who preferred to remain anonymous.
But Dr Lukwago said they are still treating the matter as an emergency, saying those involved can use their money which will be refunded once the ministry gets the money.
“We are aiding them with things such as fuel, cars to enable them move from one place to another. We also expect to have a costed plan for the response in the next 36 hours,” he added. http://www.ugandan-news.com/
On Sunday, the ministry confirmed a health worker had succumbed to the disease following laboratory tests done on September 30.
The ministry is also awaiting results of a sample from the deceased’s brother, who has so far been listed as having developed signs of the deadly disease. He has since been quarantined and isolated for further monitoring.
According to the World Health Organisation country representative, Dr Alemu Wondimagegnehu, the five samples were drawn from people who were in contact with the deceased while at Mpingi Health Centre IV.
“The information we got from the team on the ground is that the five presented with signs of the disease. The samples have been delivered at UVRI and results are expected soon,” Dr Wondimagegnehu told Daily Monitor in an interview.
A temporary isolation centre has been set up at Mpigi Health Centre IV where the suspected cases are being quarantined.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Asuman Lukwago, also said another 17 contacts have been identified in Kampala, bringing the total of those who were in contact with the deceased to 97.
“Our teams are still on the ground tracing all the possible contacts. Those who have been identified will be isolated in their homes for at least 21 days. If they show any signs such as fever and headache, then we take their samples for further tests,” Dr Lukwago told Daily Monitor.
He added that results of the six samples are expected in a few hours.
However, some officials have expressed concern over the ministry’s preparedness to handle the crisis, should it become a fully-fledged Marburg outbreak.
“The confirmatory test results were received at the Ministry of Health on September 30, but to date, the ministry has not released any money to facilitate the teams to respond appropriately,” said a source within the ministry who preferred to remain anonymous.
But Dr Lukwago said they are still treating the matter as an emergency, saying those involved can use their money which will be refunded once the ministry gets the money.
“We are aiding them with things such as fuel, cars to enable them move from one place to another. We also expect to have a costed plan for the response in the next 36 hours,” he added. http://www.ugandan-news.com/
