Agency opens daycare centre for nodding kids

August 6 2012 at 01:00

Gulu District vice chairperson Isaac Newton Ojok helps a boy suffering from nodding disease to plant a tree at the newly-built day care centre in Aromo Wanglobo, Odek Sub-county on Friday. BY Moses Akena

A daycare centre meant for monitoring, education and research on the nodding syndrome has been opened in Aromo Wanglobo Parish, Odek Sub-County in Gulu District. The centre built by Gulu Hope, a non-governmental organisation based in the district, comes with a classroom, rest beds and medication wing.

“That way, we can help do some research that will open the way which can get a cure for the nodding syndrome,” Professor Sallie Baynton, the founder of Gulu Hope organisation, said at the weekend.
The centre will help to educate and take care of many of the children who have since dropped out of school due to the nodding syndrome.

For instance, in Aromo Wanglobo Primary School, of the 532 pupils that enrolled at the school, 165 of them have been diagnosed with the syndrome, with 12 deaths and 73 drop outs registered in about one year.
The head teacher, Mr Santo Okello, said the disease is a big burden. “It’s very difficult to take care of the nodding syndrome victims and worse still, it has brought a lot of fear to both the teachers and the pupils,” he said.

Many parents in the nodding syndrome inflicted areas have complained of..

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Agency+opens+daycare+centre+for+nodding+kids/-/688334/1471812/-/wm5v1p/-/index.html

Red Cross delivers relief for Ebola victims

Red Cross delivers relief for Ebola victims

Report

—

Uganda Red Cross

Written by Catherine Ntabadde Monday, 06 August 2012 04:42
By John L. Ssengendo-Branch Focal Person URCS Masaka

On Saturday 4th August, 2012, officials at Kagadi Hospital in Kibaale District received items from Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) as discharge package for the Ebola victims. The items were delivered by a team of URCS officials comprising URCS Morris Ayikanying the Senior Program Manager- Community Based Health and First Aid URCS, Paul Bitek- the Program Manager Community Based Health and First Aid and the Regional Program Manager Hoima Region, Fred Othieno.
These included plates, cups, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, and soap, blankets, water cans and mattresses. Each discharged patient will receive a package containing 2 blankets, 5 plates, 5 cups, 2 mosquito nets, 1 tarpaulin, 3 bars of soap, 2 water cans and a mattress.
To boost service delivery at the hospital, URCS has also deployed and trained 100 volunteers in precautionary practices, health safety and infection control practices of Ebola fever. The URCS volunteers have also been trained in social mobilization, sensitization and health promotion techniques. The training was conducted by World Health Organisation, Kibaale District and URCS experts.
URCS also supported the district with 60 sets of Personal Protective Equipment to enhance the logistics base of the response.
According to Fred Othieno, one URCS volunteer was assigned to the Ebola Alert Desk at the hospital, four volunteers are at the gate to disinfect visitors and staff. He further said four other volunteers are at the triage/screening center while 20 were deployed to work with the surveillance team.
URCS is the lead partner in social mobilization in communities, homes, markets and churches.
In addition, an Ebola Alert Desk has been set up to receive phone calls concerning any Ebola threats in the community. Phone numbers have been put up to this effect. These include 0774-451762, 0706-506294 and 0747-174555.

How it works at the Ebola Treatment Center at Kagadi Hospital

After an alert has been received, suspected cases are collected from the community and taken to Kagadi Hospital. These go through the triage/screening section before admitted to the respective wards. At this point, patients are examined and those suspected Ebola cases are then taken to the isolation center as they await their test results while normal cases are taken to other wards for normal treatment.
At the isolation center, patients are grouped in such a way that patients who await their test results are put in separate wards, confirmed Ebola cases are also put in a different isolation center for treatment while those responding to treatment and are recovering are placed in the recovery section awaiting discharging. This is basically to avoid any risks of infection and re-infection.
 Ebola situation in the country On July 28, the Ministry and WHO confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Kibaale District, over 200km west of Kampala.
The incurable disease, caused by a virus initially killed 13 people in Nyaswiga Village in Nyamurunda Sub County. The affected families initially thought it was either witchcraft or evil spirits. As of August 6, 16 people had died of Ebola. 36 people are admitted at the isolation centre with over 253 cases being followed up IFRC support URCS also applied for a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund worth 226, 659 Swiss Francs (Ushs588m) from the IFRC to support its response operations.  http://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/red-cross-delivers-relief-ebola-victims

Ebola Fear Hits Tanzania

Posted by suzank on August 6, 2012

Fear has engrossed Kagera officials in Tanzania after registering patients suspected to have the deadly Ebola disease.
According to one of the doctors who diagnosed the patient at Karagwe’s Nyakahanga hospital, preliminary findings show that the victim might have contacted the Ebola virus.
The doctor who requested anonymity told the Guardian on Sunday that ‘further medical examination’ would be conducted to gather more evidence about the possible outbreak of Ebola in the region, adding that the patient had since been quarantined pending final results.
The patient was brought on Friday morning and, upon diagnosis, it was established that the patient had suffered from Ebola. The patient who is a six-year-old child was brought to the Mulongo hospital by his mother from a village close to the Uganda-Tanzania boarder after the child developed severe symptoms.
A team of medical experts from Dar es Salaam was yesterday dispatched to Kagera region to further examine the two patients believed to be suffering from the Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare subsequently confirmed the outbreak of the deadly fever in the western part of the country. Confirming the reports, the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Seleman Rashid, also said that a team of medical experts was still diagnosing a patient in efforts to establish the symptoms.
In the meantime, reports from Nyakahanga designated hospital in Karagwe district, Kagera region indicate that there were two patients including a child, suspected to be suffering from the deadly fever that has rocked neighbouring Uganda.In Uganda at least 17 people have succumbed to Ebola virus.   http://www.ugandapicks.com/2012/08/ebola-fear-hits-tanzania-22648.html

Suspected Ebola samples of 6 yr old sent to Chief Chemist

Suspected Ebola samples sent to Chief Chemist

Monday, 06 August 2012 09:22

By Lilian Lugakingira, The Citizen Correspondent Bukoba. Samples from a patient believed to have contracted Ebola, have been sent to Dar es Salaam for study. At the same time, the government through the ministry of Health and Social Welfare has urged Tanzanians to stay calm as it works to verify the samples in order to establish if the said patient has contracted the disease, which of late has been ravaging neighbouring Uganda. The six-year old patient has been admitted to Nyakahanga District Hospital in Karagwe, after showing symptoms which resemble those of Ebola. The Karagwe District medical officer, Dr Andrew Cesari, said yesterday that the samples were dispatched to Dar es Salaam yesterday. He said the samples were taken by experts from the ministry who arrived in Karagwe yesterday to make a follow up. “We received five experts from the ministry of Health... we have already conducted preliminary analysis of the sample which have been forwarded to Dar es Salaam for detailed analysis to establish what has affected that particular patient,” he said. Dr Cesari added that although the samples have been forwarded to Dar es Salaam, experts from the ministry are still on the ground and they will visit various areas to check over the possibility of ebola eruption. On the condition of the patient, he said she was doing fine and all symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea as well as body bleeding have been controlled. “But she is still under close supervision from medical experts,” he said, noting that there was no cause for alarm as the situation has been put under control. As a precaution, Dr Cesari said people should not transport any patient who would show such symbtoms. “Any patient who shows such symptoms should not be touched and we should be notified immediately. We will go anywhere after getting informed of such cases,” he said. He noted that since the disease can be transmitted through skin contact, it is advisable to avoid touching such patients. “Sending such a patient in a public transport will expose many people to risk of contracting the disease,” he elaborated. Meanwhile, a ministry of Health and Social Welfare official, Mr Nsachriss Mwamaja, said yesterday that the public should not panic over the Ébola reports as every precaution was being taken to ensure that the disease is controlled. He said once the checks are completed in Dar es Salaam, the government would publish the results. He said people living along the border with Uganda have been trained on the symptoms of the disease and what to do once they detect it. He also said equipment for containing the disease have already been sent to the area. Additional reporting by Geofrey Nyang’oro  http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/4-national-news/24647-suspected-ebola-samples-sent-to-chief-chemist

Ugandan Ministry of Health Ebola Update (5th August).wmv

Published on Aug 5, 2012 by OPM Uganda

Ugandan Commissioner of Health Service, Dr. Anthony K. Mbyone, provides a further update on the recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUHh0Bqktg&feature=plcp&noredirect=1

21 ebola dead in Uganda

Psychologists join Ebola teamPublish
 Date: Aug 06, 2012

• 
• 
• 

By Vision Reporters

A combined team of psychosocial experts from Mulago and Butabika hospitals in Kampala has arrived in Kibaale district which has recorded several cases of Ebola heamorragic fever.

Psychosocial intervention is the process of helping meet a person’s emotional, social, mental and spiritual needs to decrease the traumatic consequences of disasters.

Twenty-one people are believed to have succumbed to the deadly haemorrhagic fever, although only three of them were confirmed positive for the virus that causes Ebola.

The cause of death of 16 of the initial cases was never established because their blood samples were never collected for testing since their bodies had already been buried.

The remaining five of the 21 are said to have died over the weekend, four in the community and one at the isolation centre. Test results from the samples of the deceased people had not been ascertained by yesterday, but their sicknesses presented with the symptoms exhibited by those who had been found with Ebola. All the five were buried by the health teams.

While inspecting Kagadi Hospital on Saturday, the health minister, Dr. Christine Ondoa, announced that risk allowances for the health workers involved in the fight against Ebola will be increased. So far, one health worker, her baby and younger sister are the three people who succumbed to the disease.

Ondoa, the World Health Organisation representative, Dr. Joaquim Saweka and the director general of health services, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, visited the hospital.

Finance state minister and area MP Matia Kasaija also visited the hospital.

According to Ondoa, her ministry needs sh3b to help in the fight against Ebola.

She said the ministry’s resources have been stretched by different epidemics that have been breaking out.

The Ministry of Health’s spokesperson, Rukia Nakamatte, said there were no new Ebola deaths. She said samples from 24 out of the 36 people, who were admitted in the isolated facility at Kagadi, have been found negative of the Ebola virus.

She said another 351 people were listed for follow up, 291 of whom are already being followed up, although they are not admitted.

The follow-up period lasts 21 days and if no symptoms have manifested by the end of that time, one is declared Ebola-free.

The case that was suspected in Amuria has also turned out to be negative of Ebola http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633793-psychologists-join-ebola-team.html

Four Suspected Cases of Ebola Reported in Kenya VIDEO

The Dr says Uganda patients aren't bleeding at all, so just cuz they are bleeding in Kenya doesn't mean they have ebola..

Aug 5, 2012 by kenyacitizentv

Kenya's ministry of public health is yet again assuring the nation that so far there has been no confirmed case of Ebola in Kenya. this, even as four suspected cases have been reported in the past week alone, with the latest being a 24 - year - old woman in Homa Bay county, who was bleeding from several body openings. Neighbouring Uganda has in the past week been battling an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus which has so far killed 16 people, but Ugandan health authorities now say the situation has been contained. Given the Ebola scare in different parts of the country, what exactly should one look out for? Sally Mbilu has the details.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuPzGtDwFm0

Uganda is not yet Ebola-free, says ministry

Monday, August 6 2012 at 01:00

The Ministry of Health yesterday said the country is not yet free from Ebola and asked the public to adhere to the recommended preventive measures in order to safe guard against the deadly disease, which has so far claimed 16 lives and dozens admitted to hospitals.

However, the Health ministry spokesperson, Ms Rukia Nakamatte, urged the public and visitors to the country to remain calm as a consortium of health experts have joined the fight. “Ebola is still around but people should be calm because the situation is under control. It is important that everyone adheres to the recommended practices and preventive measures so that we do not register new cases.

We are running advertisements about all the recommended practices,” Ms Nakamatte said on telephone.

 Ms Nakamatte said two new suspected Ebola patients were yesterday admitted to Kagadi Hospital in Kibaale District. This increased the officially reported Ebola cases to 36, of which 24 patients had by yesterday tested negative but were still closely monitored by health officials to clear any further doubts and fears.

The rise in the Ebola cases tally comes at a time when there are continued inconsistencies in how the whole Ebola outbreak is being handled.

Allowances
In Kibaale, about 150 health workers, community volunteers and drivers who were deployed to handle the Ebola epidemic had to strike on Saturday over unpaid allowances, only to resume work the following day after getting assurance that their money had been wired on the district account and would be paid out today (Monday).

“Please all your monies are available but we would not make payments today because the process was delayed in crediting the funds on our account by the health ministry,” Mr Emmanuel Ssenoga, the Kibaale Chief Administrative Officer, told the striking group.

Far still, this newspaper was reliably informed that most victims of this highly contagious hemorrhagic fever continued to seek divine intervention through prayers only to turn to hospitals when the disease had reached chronic levels.

Dr Isaac Kakibugu, a medical officer in Kagadi Hospital, said patients resorted to sneaking from the hospital to be prayed for and later die in the community. “We missed the opportunity at the peak of the epidemic. They come and don’t give us the chance to investigate because they have a tendency to spend most of their time in prayer places yet this epidemic started in a prayerful family,” he said.

More support
Meanwhile,...
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda+is+not+yet+Ebola+free++says+ministry/-/688334/1471936/-/118upk8/-/index.html

Ebola sex ban

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbWfu3lWP_E&list=UUTV7C2Zx1AqYw-CD0DJd3Ug&index=1&feature=plcp

Uganda: National Rugby Sevens Suspended as Ebola caution

Uganda: National Rugby Sevens Suspended
The Uganda rugby fans will have to wait a little longer before they can quench their thirst for rugby action as the national Rugby 7s has been suspended for an unspecified period.
Uganda Rugby Union (URU) put off the competitions that were meant to kick off on Saturday after recommendation from the medical society over the Ebola fever that has hit the country.
"We got recommendation from the medical society to put off the games and there is no way we could risk such huge crowds in situations of such a deadly epidemic," URU secretary, Alex Kalimugogo confirmed the development.
URU medical society vice chairman Dr. Sam Guma explained that their recommendation came as a matter of national urgency.
"As medical practitioners our priority is lives of people being safe and we are monitoring the situation together with the ministry of health and if the situation is okay then we shall report to URU to fix the date for the tournament," he said.
Kalimugogo however denied claims that it was because of a financial crisis that forced the union to put off the games.  http://allafrica.com/stories/201208050540.html

3D Ebola pic

Ebola Case Reported in Kenya VIDEO

Another Suspected Ebola Case Reported in Kenya

Published on Aug 5, 2012 by kenyacitizentv

Fear has gripped Nyakwar village in Homa Bay County after a girl exhibited Ebola Like symptoms.The 24 year old was on Saturday admitted to the Homa Bay District Hospital with symptom similar to those of the haemorrhagic fever. The girl was rushed to the hospital after falling ill but while in hospital reportedly started bleeding from body openings. According to the family of the fourth form student, the girl complained of excruciating pain in the body that was followed with diarrhea before starting to vomit blood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywle3iHxXUI

Deadly Ebola virus hits Uganda [CNN 8-04-2012] VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vihVUaHRqkc#!

Ebola Fear Starts to Spread

Sunday, August 05, 2012 
Today a team of medical experts from Dar es Salaam that were sent yesterday to Kagera region to examine to patients said to be suffering from the Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Meanwhile the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Seif Seleman Rashid, confirmed the outbreak of the deadly virus in the western part of the country.
Reports from Nyakahanga designated hospital in Karagwe district, Kagera region, pointed out that two patients including a child are suspected of being sick from the hemorrhagic fever. Upon the confirmation of the disease the patients have been isolated. It has not been confirmed that the fever is spreading beyond its borders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted Tanzania of the Ebola threat, prompting its ministry to make the press statement and take the right precautions.
Doctors and the district health workers from the Kagera region have started to warn people in the surrounding villages to take precaution measures whenever they come across such patients

http://www.ecuadortimes.net/2012/08/05/ebola-fear-starts-to-spread/

Uganda Ebola on rise‎- Video

Aug 4, 2012 by WorldNewsBulletin

http://www.youtube.com/WorldNewsBulletin
World News Bulletin
Plz Subscrib for Latest News
The new cases bring the cumulative total of those infected to 33, including 16 who have died since the outbreak of Ebola virus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gv3VGjaxgLY#!

Ebola fear hits Kagera

A team of medical experts from Dar es Salaam was yesterday dispatched to Kagera region to further examine the two patients believed to be suffering from the Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

But as the team of medical experts was sent to Kagera region, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare subsequently confirmed the outbreak of the deadly fever in the western part of the country. Confirming the reports, the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Seleman Rashid, also said that a team of medical experts was still diagnosing a patient in efforts to establish the symptoms.

In the meantime, reports from Nyakahanga designated hospital in Karagwe district, Kagera region indicate that there were two patients including a child, suspected to be suffering from the deadly fever that has rocked neighbouring Uganda.

According to one of the doctors who diagnosed the patient at Karagwe’s Nyakahanga hospital, preliminary findings show that the victim might have contacted the Ebola virus.

However, the doctor who requested anonymity told the Guardian on Sunday that ‘further medical examination’ would be conducted to gather more evidence about the possible outbreak of Ebola, adding that the patient had since been quarantined pending final results.

[link to www.ippmedia.com]

19 Suspected Ebola Patients Test Negative As WHO Beefs Up Management Efforts

Samples of the other patients are yet to be returned. Doctor Kyamanywa says the 19 patients have now been moved to the convalescent ward which separates them from those who are positive and those whose status is yet to be determined.

Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44261&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz22gdMwIgn

Inside the Ebola Ward: On the Front Lines in Uganda

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK by DR. RICHARD BESSER (@DrRichardBesser)

KAGADI, Uganda, Aug. 5, 2012

I just emerged from the ebola ward. Inside there are three patients with confirmed ebola infection and another 15 or so who are awaiting test results.
I suited up in full protective gear, so that not an inch of skin was showing. An expert from Doctors Without Borders oversaw my suiting-up. He has worked on five ebola outbreaks and was meticulous in his care: he carefully adjusted my mask and hood to protect me from any body fluids that might spatter. It was too dangerous for my photographer-colleague Alex to come in, so I shot with a little camera which we left behind.
The ward is a typical African medical setting, dimly lit with light filtering through the windows. It is an open room, like an army barracks, broken into three sections, with interior walls about 2 feet high. The protection suits are incredibly hot. You can only work in them for about 40 minutes. More than that and you will get dehydrated. There's no way to drink water when you are wearing this suit...

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ebola-outbreak-uganda-abc-news-medical-editor-dr/story?id=16933520

DREF operation n° MDRUG029

Disaster relief emergency fund (DREF)

Uganda: Ebola epidemic

DREF operation n° MDRUG029

GLIDE n° EP-2012-000124-UGA

3 August 2012

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund

(DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate

financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency response. The DREF is a vital

part of the International Federation’s disaster response system and increases the ability of National

Societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 197,205 has been allocated from the IFRC’s

Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support

the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) in

delivering immediate assistance to 900,000 people

in Kibale District and 4 surrounding districts (with

a media campaign),646,700 people in Kibale

District (with health promotion campaigns), 2,500

high risk people (with house-to-house contact

tracing and follow-up), 900 people at risk of

stigmatization (300 discharged from hospitals and

their 600 family members with psychosocial

support and NFI kits), 200 hospital staff (with

personal protective equipment), and 220

volunteers (with training in epidemic control and

psychosocial support) over 3 months. Unearmarked

funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Personal protective equipment ready to be delivered

from URCS to Kibale Distict/ Photo URCS

Summary:

An outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever was confirmed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and World Health

Organization (WHO) on Friday, 27 July 2012 in Kibale district in Western Uganda. By Monday, 30 July 2012,

there were 36 suspected cases of Ebola, with 14 deaths. More cases have continued to be reported in the

affected area, with some being admitted in Kagadi hospital. There are fears that the disease has spread

beyond Kibale. One suspected case was referred by ambulance to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, and died on

22 July 2012. Hospital staff handling the case are being monitored according to protocol and have so far not

displayed any signs of the disease. The full extent of the outbreak is not yet established but is expected to be

clearer after the assessment that started on Saturday, 28 July by a team of MoH, WHO, United States

Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and URCS. The outbreak has been confirmed to be Ebola (Sudan type)

and more laboratory tests continue to be done to further establish the characteristics of this outbreak.

A Uganda Red Cross Society Task Force has been established that will work closely with the Ministry of

Health’s established Task Force consisting of a number of agencies including WHO, Medecin Sans Frontiers

(MSF), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Africa Epidemic Network (AFINET) and other

development partners to coordinate local and international efforts to provide medical supplies and to assist

with transport and personnel.

A total of 220 URCS volunteers have been mobilized and are receiving a refresher training to support the

dissemination of information about the disease and its transmission in Kibale, as well as in Kampala and

other at-risk districts. These volunteers will provide support to the vulnerable communities in tracing and

follow-up of the contacts of the suspected/confirmed cases. Some of these volunteers will also be involved in

psychosocial support, rehabilitation and distribution of Non Food Item (NFI) kits to survivors.

This DREF operation will support Uganda Red Cross Society to reach communities and individuals in Kibale

and the surrounding districts as well as in Kampala as follows: 

Table 2: Ebola situation as at 30

th July 2011:

No. Name of Sub County Cases Deaths

1 Matale 1

2 Mugarama 3 1

3 Nyamarunda* 18 12

4 Kibale T/C 5

5 Bwikara 4 1

6 Muhoro 2

7 Kyabsdima 1

8 Kagadi 2

Total 36 14

*One case referred from Nyamarunda died in Mulago Hospital in Kampala

Coordination and partnerships

In Kibale, a district task force has been set up to help coordinate the response efforts at district level.

Table 3: Members of Kibale District task force:

Sector Lead Agency

Coordination and resource mobilization District Health Officer (DHO)/Respective

stakeholder NGOs

Case management DHO/MSF/WHO

Logistics management DHO//Respective stakeholder NGOs

Community surveillance DHO/ District Education Officer (DEO), URCS

Social mobilization, Information and Education

Communications (IEC)

District Health Educator (DHE) and

URCS/Respective stakeholder NGOs

Burial team/Security and Safety DISO

A similar coordination mechanism at national level has been established at the Ministry of Health

headquarters where URCS is duly represented. The National task force will be meeting every day at 9:00

am at MoH to review and discuss progress of the implementation.

The Ministry of Health and the District Health Team (DHT) remain the main interveners, while humanitarian

agencies such as UNICEF, WHO, international and local NGOs as well as URCS, are being mobilized to act

in partnership to support the district in the response.

These coordination mechanisms help in drawing epidemic response plans, resource mobilization, and in

providing operational guidance that supports resource sharing and avoids duplication of efforts.

An isolation centre has been set up at Kagadi Hospital and by Monday, 30 July 2012, ten (10) suspected

cases had been admitted in the unit. MSF (Holland) is on board and helping in case management and

overall treatment at the established isolation unit. Through the National task force, a refined case definition

has been worked on and shared with stakeholders. The district task force meetings will also help in

developing guidelines on preventing further spread, managing public gatherings during such epidemics, and

burying corpses of the infected.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action

Kibale Branch conducted a joint assessment with the District Health Office, Ministry of Health and WHO that

highlighted the magnitude of the emergency and is guiding the disease control actions.

The branch also mobilized 220 volunteers, readying them for engaging communities with disease control

activities and psychosocial support. The society has also dispatched the available personal protective

equipment (PPEs) to Kibale District to support the case management team and volunteers with their work on

the ground. One senior staff and the regional manager have moved to Kibale to support training of URCS

volunteers by mid week so that the volunteers are ready for action in the community by Friday 3

rd August

2012. IEC materials for community education and sensitization are being reviewed and updated by the social

mobilization sub-committee of the National task force and will be ready for production by Wednesday, 1

August 2012, and also ready for distribution by the end of the first week of August.

URCS has played a central role in previous EHF outbreaks, with its network of trained volunteers

participating in the efforts aimed at controlling these outbreaks.

The needs

Selection of people to be reached:

This operation aims to support the Uganda Red Cross Society in

delivering immediate assistance to: 646,700 people in Kibale District (with health promotion campaigns),

900,000 people in Kibale district and 4 surrounding districts (with a media campaign), 2,500 high-risk people,

(with house-to-house contact tracing and follow-up), 900 people at risk of stigmatization (300 discharged

from hospitals and their 600 family members with psychosocial support and NFI kits), 200 hospital staff

(supported with personal protective equipment), and 220 volunteers (with training in Epidemic Control for

Volunteers-ECV and psychosocial support).

It is estimated that the intervention will need to follow-up over 500 possible cases before the end of the

outbreak and an estimated 2,500 contacts of these suspected cases that have to be monitored for 21 days

so that those that develop symptoms are adequately referred for isolation and treatment.

The people suspected to be infected will usually have any household property that may have come in

contact with their body fluids buried or destroyed, and this will certainly result in a need for essential

household items to be provided to these families for their daily livelihoods. The provision of non-food items

(NFIs) will therefore require approximately 300 NFI kits.

Because of the nature of the disease, there is bound to be stigma and discrimination attached to these

families and therefore the URCS intervention will from the onset target a psychosocial support system for

300 patients discharged from hospital and 600 of their family members.

URCS will build capacities of the volunteers and community members to recognize suspected cases and

report them to the authorities.

Needs assessments have revealed that there is a shortage of PPE in government health facilities for use by

health professionals and volunteers during community activities. On 1 August 2012, Ebola National Task

Force meeting held in Kampala, the need for PPE was identified as one of the key priorities for health

facilities around Kibale and surrounding districts. Ugandan health workers are treating patients with other

illnesses (cholera, malaria, etc.) without PPE. The only way to get the doctors and nurses to look after

patients is to avail them with PPE for reassurance.

The proposed operation

The operation will mainly focus on engaging community based volunteers to undertake intensified health

education and promotion campaigns at household level to improve on community knowledge of the

symptoms and signs of the disease and the procedure to follow while protecting household members and

ensure appropriate referral of suspected cases. The contacts of the suspected cases will be followed-up by

volunteers on a daily basis to monitor the development of symptoms so that those that develop symptoms

are immediately referred. The IFRC ECV toolkit shall be employed to facilitate effective EHF control

interventions where trained volunteers will be facilitated to conduct health promotion campaigns, active case

search, follow up of contacts and referral suspected cases.

In order to reduce risk of wide transmission of the epidemic, mass media and other forms of culturally

acceptable and context-specific IEC campaigns will be employed to promote a wide knowledge and

awareness about the disease, its risks of transmission, actions to take for suspected cases and preventive

measures. This will target the whole of Kibale District and surrounding areas since there is significant

population movement to and from the affected area. The total population of the district is 646,700 people that

will be targeted with the IEC and mass media messages.

URCS will deploy staff from the branch and regional offices as well as technical staff from headquarters to

train volunteers and provide technical support for the planned EHF interventions. The capacities of staff ,

including members of the Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) and the health specialist in ECV, as

well as local capacities in Kibale District departments of Health will be utilised to provide guidance and

support to the field activities.

The National Society Headquarters in Kampala, in line with the IFRC East Africa regional representation

office in Nairobi, will organize with the field teams to participate in the monitoring of the implementation of the

Ebola operation. The Red Cross regional board representatives and the local board members will also...   http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MDRUG029.pdf

Vietnam tightens border control due to bird flu fears

//03 Aug 2012
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked authorities, especially those in border provinces, to tighten inspections and control of poultry imports in an attempt to halt a bird flu epidemic.
"Development of the disease is becoming complicated in Vietnam and other countries in the world, urging measures to ensure better control of imported poultry, especially poultry that is smuggled into the country," he said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Animal Health Department, bird flu has re-emerged in 20 provinces and cities across the country since the beginning of this year.
Link here...

[link to www.worldpoultry.net]

More on Tanzania Ebola suspect

It’s red alert over possible Ebola case

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Sunday, 05 August 2012 02:42

By Joas Kaijage, The Citizen Correspondent Bukoba. A state of alert has been imposed along the Tanzania border with Uganda following fears over a suspected outbreak of Ebola in Kagera Region. However, medical personnel said the case was yet to be confirmed until samples from a six-year-old boy admitted to Nyakahanga hospital in Karagwe will be sent for further laboratory tests in Uganda. In an exclusive interview with The Citizen on Sunday, the Karagwe District medical officer, Dr Elias Mayala, said the patient from Nyakatuntu Village has been under quarantine in an isolated room at Nyakahanga hospital awaiting confirmation of the tests. In the interim, Dr Mayala said, district authorities had mounted a strict surveillance of the Mutukula and Murongo border posts. This includes deployment of medical personnel to stop the disease from spreading to Tanzania. He said among other routines, the medical personnel at the border posts were responsible for holding awareness raising meetings on the deadly disease. They were also ensuring that they detect early enough possible cases among visitors crossing to the other side. He said along with the efforts, local FM radio stations in the area have been engaged in disseminating messages on prevention. They are especially used to create awareness of its symptoms and how it spreads among border communities. “In fact, it is not correct to say there is an outbreak of Ebola following this particular suspicion, but strict measures are inevitable to stop the disease from spreading to our side,” said Dr Mayala. Since the reported incident, authorities in Karagwe have also been carrying out investigations to uncover more information. They wish to know whether there is any other related cases near the village in Kieran District where the victim allegedly comes from. An employee at the Nyakahanga hospital, who declined to be named because he was not the spokesperson, said the admitted Ebola- suspected child was placed under quarantine along with his mother. The employee said the child had clear signs of Ebola, including bleeding profusely through his ears and nose when relatives brought him to the Karagwe District Designated Hospital. http://thecitizen.co.tz/sunday-citizen/40-sunday-citizen-news/24625-its-red-alert-over-possible-ebola-case.html

EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER - UGANDA (10): (KIBAALE) 17TH FATALITY

A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Fri 3 Aug 2012
Source: New Vision via AllAfrica.com [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208040122.html


Uganda: Ebola - Death Toll Rises to 17
--------------------------------------
One more person is suspected to have died of the deadly Ebola virus in Kagadi hospital, while another 2 patients have been admitted to the hospital's isolation ward today. "The patient had been admitted in the isolation ward, with signs of having contracted Ebola. But, he unfortunately died in the evening, on arrival in the isolation ward," Dr. Dan Kyamanywa, who is Kibaale's district health officer, revealed.

This brings the death toll to 17, and the suspected patients admitted to 31, according to Dr. Kyamanywa. Only 2 patients out of those admitted were on Wednesday confirmed to have contracted Ebola; 3 others were earlier this week also confirmed to have contracted Ebola, after laboratory tests were conducted. A total of 7 more specimens were taken on Wednesday [1 Aug 2012] from the patients admitted at the isolation facility bringing the total number of samples collected since the [beginning] of the outbreak to 37, according to Dr. Lwamafa. Results are to be released soon.

The samples are currently being investigated at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe. The health ministry's surveillance team in Kibaale district is actively and closely following up 232 people suspected to have been in contact with the dead and sick. They continue to monitored even though they have not showed any symptoms of the disease yet.

More so, in Kibaale district, one of the prisoners, who had been admitted to the isolation ward, escaped and is yet to be found. An inter-ministerial committee on Ebola has been formed to coordinate the management of the epidemic.

More dead birds in Vietnam #H5N1

..Up to Date 4-8, in the city of Hai Phong avian influenza has appeared in the An Lao district, Vinh Bao, Kien Thuy, Kien An district and diameter. The city had 66,800 birds were killed and forced to destroy the bird flu. Particularly on 2 and 3-8, the bird flu outbreak in the ward are constantly appearing Most Blessed (District diameter), and Thuan Thien Huu Bang (Kien Thuy district).
Functional departments recommend that people carry out self-protection measures, to prevent disease spread to humans.  Before bird flu situation is complex and changes are likely to be spread out wide, 3-8, Hanoi People's Committee has asked the Public power districts, towns and strengthen advocacy dangerous levels and control measures against avian influenza to persons transporting, slaughtering and trading poultry and poultry products that voluntarily made. Perform aggressive, coordinated, effective preventive measures against bird flu epidemic. In particular, must be clear responsibility for each organization or individual, head of government at all levels, in the prevention of disease in the area ...  http://www.nhandan.com.vn/cmlink/nhandandientu/thoisu/doi-song/i-s-ng-tin-chung/n-ng-nong-tren-di-n-r-ng-t-i-cac-t-nh-b-c-b-va-trung-trung-b-1.361184

Thailand-BMA on rabies alert after rabbit bites family

5/08/2012at 02:18 AM

Health officials are fanning out to contain a rabies threat in Chom Thong district after members of a family were bitten by a pet rabbit infected with the virus.

Deputy Bangkok governor Malinee Sukvejvorakij said the family's members were given rabies injections after their pet rabbit died and posthumously tested positive for the virus.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) health authorities will meet tomorrow to identify the source of the rabbit's rabies infection so they can prevent a possible epidemic.

Their search will probably include a trip to Chatuchak Weekend Market, where the infected rabbit was bought.

....Mr Samruay said the dead rabbit, named Poko, was one of two rabbits he bought from Chatuchak Weekend Market late last year.

The other rabbit, a female, died from diarrhoea shortly after it arrived at their house. Poko, a male, then exhibited strange behaviour after the family bought a second female rabbit from the Sanam Luang II market in Thawi Watthana district, Mr Samruay told Dr Phinai.

Mr Samruay said Poko began biting the feet of family members starting around June 10. The family eventually had to put the rabbit in a kennel.

Mr Samruay's son bled after being bitten by Poko while feeding the rabbit _ he has since received anti-rabies shots.

The animal died on July 28. The next day, the female rabbit also died.

Mr Samruay's family suspected Poko carried rabies and sent its carcass to the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute for examination. The rabies test came back positive. The female rabbit's carcass was not sent for examination.

Mr Samruay and his family received shots from the hospital, but he worried he may have received the injection too late as he was bitten several days before. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/306009/bma-on-rabies-alert-after-rabbit-bites-family

Dr Malinee said he knew of no rabies infections to have been reported among rabbits in Thailand before this case.

Mexico has killed 8 million birds due to #H7N3 #BIRDFLU

Sacrifice and 8 million birds from bird flu
 The CEO of the National Health and Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture, Enrique Sánchez Cruz, reported to have been killed 8 million birds by bird flu, while 40 have been vaccinated million more
Celaya, GTO. - "The vaccine producer is selling at 29 cents a dose, at cost, so it can be applied as quickly as it is doing, because we begin to apply vaccines a week ago, and today are vaccinated 40 million birds, "he said.
Regarding the birds slaughtered and killed, the federal official reported to have been increasing, it is necessary to eliminate the virus and prevent it from contaminating other birds.
"Last week we had eliminated 6 million, and today we have 8 million, because of the following: the vaccination system is doing a sweep of all poultry zones. The birds are finding it is not feasible vaccinate are removed, this has been increasing, "he said.
He clarified that it is not an issue because it is better to leave quickly eliminate the virus continue to control more quickly.
"We have within Mexico on epidemiological surveillance of exotic diseases and endemic, this system operates with 21 officers and 180 private laboratories, which can monitor in real time, every day of the year and where the information is received, we know the evolution of disease, "he said.
The federal official reiterated that there is no justification for the rising price of chicken and the egg, because although there are animals that have died both foods are still produced.
40 million birds have already received the vaccine against bird flu, each costs 29 cents.  http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/sacrificanya8millonesdeavesporgripeaviar-1344260.html

Business as Usual in Kampala Despite Ebola Scare

Residents of Kampala city have continued to conduct their daily activities, others with no precaution despite the announcement of an outbreak of Ebola in parts of Uganda and in the city itself.

Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44209#ixzz22cQi0L9y

Hidden deaths, more influx of patients

Government releases Shs600 million as Ebola claims more lives

A health official at Kagadi Hospital takes stock of a consignment from the National Medical Stores on Thursday. Photo by Ronald Tumusiime

 Sunday, August 5 2012 at 01:00

In Summary

Avoiding individualist. To avoid the cash being swindled by senior government officials, the money has been dispatched to the district account, according to a letter seen by this paper.

A day after this newspaper published the logistical outcry of health personnel fighting against the deadly Ebola epidemic; the government on Friday said it had released Shs627 million to facilitate their activities in Kibaale District.

However, the money has come at a time when the district is registering more infections and deaths. By yesterday, the death toll had reached 17 after a patient died at Kagadi Hospital.
Reports also indicate that three people died in the villages of Ngerebwe and Waihembe on Thursday night after they reportedly showed signs of the disease but health workers could not confirm whether the victims succumbed to Ebola hemorrhagic fever or some other sickness.

Burial committee dispatched
“We sent a burial committee to bury them because they had symptoms similar to those of Ebola,” Mr Stephen Mfashingabo, the vice chairperson of the Ebola taskforce, said. However, a number of residents from the two villages have fled to neighbouring parishes.

“We urge the people to be calm. All efforts are being made to contain the outbreak,” Mr Mfashingabo added. Sunday Monitor has seen a letter by the Health Permanent secretary ministry dated August 1, addressed to the Kibaale Chief Administrative Officer, indicating the money has been wired to the district account.   Dr Dan Kyamanywa, the district health officer, said the epidemic is increasing with more suspected patients admitted to Kagadi Hospital. “Things are not moving on well because we are admitting between three to four people on a daily basis. But we think the funds given will help us to hunt for more suspects,” said Dr Kyamanywa...  http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt+releases+Shs600+million+as+Ebola+claims+more+lives/-/688334/1471088/-/ocpmfi/-/index.html

Ugandan Ministry of Health Ebola Update (4th August).wmv

Ugandan Commissioner of Health Service, Dr Anthony K. Mbyone provides a further update on the recent Ebola outbreak.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T21kZxdJ-TM&feature=em-share_video_user

Uganda: Ebola - Death Toll Rises to 17

ONE more person is suspected to have died of the deadly Ebola virus in Kagadi hospital, while other two patients have been admitted to the hospital's isolation ward today.
"The patient had been admitted in the isolation ward, with signs of having contracted Ebola. But, he unfortunately died in the evening, on arrival in the isolation ward," Dr. Dan Kyamanywa, who is Kibaale's district health officer, revealed.
This brings the death toll to 17, and the suspected patients admitted to 31, according to Dr. Kyamanywa.
Only two patients out of those admitted were on Wednesday confirmed to have contracted Ebola. Three others were earlier this week also confirmed to have contracted Ebola, after laboratory tests were conducted. A total of seven more specimens ..  http://allafrica.com/stories/201208040122.html

Video from Kenya on negative Ebola suspect

Ebola watch
Published on Aug 4, 2012 by    

http://www.ktnkenya.tv

In the week since Uganda confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola virus in its western region, Kenya has registered at least three suspected cases. The ministry of health sought to reassure Kenyans that no case of the deadly virus has been found in the country. It however emerges that the typical symptoms of Ebola mean that Kenyans are on high alert, watching for any outbreak. Are their fears justified?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSWtHGicLm4

Kenyans in Migingo fear they could contract Ebola

,,and they should be without strict screening measures..

PHOTO | FILE | NATION Fishermen in Migingo. Kenyans on the island say the unscreened movement of Ugandans on the island may put them at risk of contracting Ebola.

August 4 2012 at 23:30

Kenyans living on the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria have expressed fears they could contract the highly contagious Ebola virus.

The fishermen and traders said their Ugandan counterparts were trooping to the island in large numbers for fishing activities but were not being screened due to a lack of personnel and equipment on the island.

“We are living in extreme fear of contracting the virus which may sweep us here like bushfire due to the lack of a well-equipped medical facility. What we have is one chemist selling the basic painkillers,” said Mr Tom Jairo, a fisherman...

“We want the government to set up a screening centre in Migingo, complete with staff to take care of out safety,” added another fisherman Mr Malachi Otieno.

Migingo has a population of over 1,000 people working as traders, fishermen and sex workers, and who are mainly Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian.

Even some of the security officers who spoke to the Sunday Nation on of condition of anonymity expressed fears for their safety, saying Ugandans were visiting the island in large numbers daily.

“We are very worried and the work morale has gone low … the government should address our plight,” said one of the officers...

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Kenyans+in+Migingo+fear+they+could+contract+Ebola/-/1056/1471434/-/foayha/-/index.html

Ebola scare in Murang’a slum as man dies of unknown disease -update

Panic gripped Murang’a on Friday after a man died of an unknown disease that locals suspected could be caused by the deadly Ebola virus.
Villagers of Mjini slum reportedly discovered the 30-year-old man who was said to be from Kitui District.
Witnesses said he was passing blood through the mouth and nostrils before he died..
..He asked the public to stop panicking, saying the issue was under control. The MoH said a treatment note found on the deceased’s clothings indicated he had sought treatment for TB at the Port Lietz Hospital in Mombasa on July 23.  http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000063387&story_title=Ebola-scare-in-Murang%E2%80%99a-slum-as-man-dies-of-unknown-disease

Canadian Travel Health Notice

 

The Ministry of Health of Uganda has reported an outbreak of Ebola haemorraghic fever in the Kibaale District of midwestern Uganda. As of August 1^st, a total of 50 cases, including 16 deaths have been reported. The Ministry of Health of Uganda is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the response operations...
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/thn-csv/ebola-eng.php

No bleeding = not controlled

How can any U.N.or Gov't agency claim Ebola in Uganda is under control? From the beginning
it was thought to be a mysterious disease and may have been floating around for almost a month before officially named to be Ebola Sudan. Is that what it really is? Possibly, but it has mutated somewhat. They just dont wan't to say that very loud.
However it will be said here and now, this strain is diffferent and could not possibly be contained with these type of symptoms..not to mention an escaped prisoner already documented to be showing symptoms.
Notice you aren't hearing about him anymore , and his test results will be quicky announced as negative. This will be a lie at best, as he was already confined with the other prisoners brought in and kept in a ward with many other infected people. Where are all the test results?


EA in panic as Ebola strikes again in Uganda    

Saturday, August 4 2012 at 19:44

Uganda is studying the puzzling behaviour of the Ebola Sudan virus in the latest outbreak that had killed 16 people mid last week

“So far what we see is that it is atypical. Its behaviour is very suspicious,” Dr Anthony Mbonye the Commissioner for Health Services at the Ministry of Health told The EastAfrican, explaining that unlike the typical Sudan strain, victims in the latest suffer fevers without the bleeding normally associated with the virus.

“Thank God we took a sample early because we would be thinking they are suffering from fever yet it is Ebola,” said Mbonye.

The Uganda Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of Ebola in Kibaale district, about 160km west of Kampala.

Confirmatory test results were done at the Centres for Disease C..  http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/EA+in+panic+as+Ebola+strikes+again+in+Uganda+/-/2558/1471392/-/15qobmx/-/index.html

Muranga ebola scare..possible TB

Video
Last Modified: 4 Aug 2012 15:22
Murang’a district hospital is on high alert after a man was admitted exhibiting symptoms similar to those of ebola. The man later died sparking panic among local residents. Murang’a north medical officer of health ephantus maree has called for calm in the area urging residents to allow medical practitioners to establish what the man was suffering from.                http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktn/index.php?videoID=2000059484&video_title=Muranga-ebola-scare.

PEOPLE OF Karagwe fear Ebola into the country ..

 Posted by FrancisAyo on August 4th, 2012



The disease is believed to enter the village mentioned in the name of Longo Karagwe district. Citizens have to be scared and be aware ilaum government to refrain from Uganda to avoid the disease. They claim that the negligence that led to AIDS is entering from Uganda.

karipotiwa first patient admitted in the hospital room of Karagwe in Kagera ... the hospital's chief doctor reports!

Information shortly [breaking news] from ITV / Radio One is a child of six years in Karagwe is seen to have all symptoms of Ebola disease. Anavuja blood, ears and nostrils. Also fever. Her mother baby, nurse and child were placed in special care.  http://bongolifestyle.com/?p=211#.UB0W2Fgs_r0.twitter

Tanzania 6 year old with symptoms of #Ebola

Incoming Ebola Tanzania 6 year old son lying in a hospital of Karagwe, Kagera region having discerned that serious symptoms of Ebola.  http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?m=2

Burundi Government taking measures to counter Ebola virus

Burundi Government taking
measures to counter Ebola virus

HEALTH ministry called upon travelers to avoid "close
physical contact" with local people living in endemic
areas and to avoid trips in endemic areas
.

BUJUMBURA (Xinhua) -- Following the outbreak of the Ebola viral disease in Uganda which has already killed at least 16 people, Burundi has taken measures to counter the disease by controlling all movements of people, the Burundian health ministry said on Friday.

"Training health personnel to use equipment, test and treat people infected with Ebola virus and installing medical teams at the airport of Bujumbura, at various ports and on frontiers to control all movements of people are some of the most urgent moves to be taken," the ministry said in a press release.

Bujumbura-based Prince Regent Charles Hospital has been chosen to host isolated patients attacked by Ebola.

The press release said Burundi remains free of the epidemic, but added its spread is possible due to "population mobility" in the east African region.

The ministry called upon travelers to avoid "close physical contact" with local people living in endemic areas and to avoid trips in endemic areas.

The ministry also called on people who display symptoms of Ebola to quickly consult a physician.

The population has been recommended to implement individual and collective protection measures such as wearing gloves and washing hands with soap.

The Burundian population is also recommended to avoid shaking hands and avoid sharing towels and clothes.  http://www.coastweek.com/3531_ebola_02.htm
.http://www.coastweek.com/3531_ebola_02.htm

Ebola at large? Prisoner with suspected case escapes Ugandan hospital

Published: 04 August, 2012, 03:

A World Health Organization official has stated that the Ebola outbreak in Uganda is now “under control.” However, a prisoner suspected of being infected with the deadly virus managed to escape from a hospital, spurring fears of further contagion.
The inmate’s test results are yet to be determined.
“Should his results come back and he is positive, that causes us a lot of worry,” Dr. Jackson Amune, a commissioner at the Ugandan Ministry of Health, was quoted by CNN as saying.
The prisoner broke out on Friday night, prompting hospital officials to handcuff the four remaining prisoners to their beds. The prisoners are among the 30 people suspected of carrying Ebola at a hospital in the western town of Kagadi, the center of the outbreak.
“We do expect the number of suspected cases to increase,” Dr. Dan Kyamanywa, a local health officer, noted. “It's important to break transmission and reduce the number of contacts that suspected cases have.”
In the meantime, Joaquim Saweka, the WHO representative in Uganda, said the disease was “under control.”
“The structure put in place is more than adequate,” he told reporters in the capital Kampala. “We are isolating the suspected or confirmed cases.”
He went on say that everyone known to have had contact with Ebola victims has been isolated. He also said that Ugandan health officials have written up a so-called “Ebola contact list,” containing the names of 176 people who had even the slightest contact with those infected with Ebola.
Saweka noted the fact that local officials trying to contain the virus were being assisted organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Ebola outbreak was confirmed on July 28, several days EDIT:WEEKS" after villagers in the western district of Kibaale died from it.
The first victim of the virus was a three-month old girl, Doctors Without Borders said in a statement on Wednesday. Fifteen of the 65 people that attended her funeral ended up contracting the disease.
Officials did not respond immediately, as the victims' symptoms were not the usual ones, such as regurgitating blood. The slow response allowed the disease to spread to other villages, as well as the towns of Kagadi and Mulago.
“The doctors in Kibaale say the symptoms were a bit atypical of Ebola,” Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stated in a national address on Monday. “They were not clearly like Ebola symptoms. Because of that delay, the sickness spread to another village.”
Another problem doctors encountered was that many suspected cases refused to go to hospital as they feared they would get infected there. Other suspected Ebola patients, dissatisfied with poor hospital conditions, broke out of their wards to protest the way they were being treated. The Ugandan Ministry of Health also stated that a number of people were refusing treatment “because they believed that the cause of the illness was due to ‘evil spirits.’”
So far, the disease has claimed the lives of at least 16 people http://www.rt.com/news/ebola-uganda-prisoner-hospital-830/

WHO sends team to assist in #Ebola fight

The World Health Organization has sent a team of ten experts to Uganda to help fight the Ebola epidemic.
The WHO Country Representative Dr. Joaquim Saweka says these experts are from USA and Geneva and their major task is to train Ugandan medical personnel on how to handle and treat the epidemic.
He says that by today some of them will be off to Kibaale district to assess the situation on ground.
Saweka has also re-affirmed the organization’s commitment to help the country in times of health disaster and advised government not to restrict movement since World Health Organization is working closely with the ministry of health to control the spread of Ebola.  http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/who-sends-team-to-assist-in-ebola-fight/26596.aspx

#Ebola patient allegedly diagnosed in Kagera

By Emmanuel Onyango

4th August 2012

As the government tries to take measures to prevent the deadly disease of Ebola from spreading into the country, one patient has been discovered to have been infected with the viruses at Nyakage hospital in Karagwe district, Kagera region.

According to one doctor from the hospital who declined to be named because he is not the authorised spokesperson, doctors at the hospital discovered a patient whose name was not immediately established with all signs of the disease when he went there for treatment on Friday.

The doctor further noted that the patient had travelled from Uganda and had entered into the country via Mulongo border in the western part of Kagera region.
Efforts to contact the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi for more clarification about the matter yesterday bore no fruit as he was not ready to speak about the issue, asking the reporter to call him later. However, when efforts were made to reach him about an hour later his phone was switched off.

However, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Dr Mwinyi said the government had sent medical experts to the Tanzanian border with Uganda in a quest to contain its spread into the country. The disease is known to have killed 14 victims.
Dr Mwinyi told visibly alarmed legislators that the medical experts who have been dispatched to the border were fully equipped with protective gear, medical supplies and other requisite equipment.

They are also able to identify Ebola virus carriers. The minister advised the public, especially those living in the northern regions of Kagera, Mara, Mwanza and Kigoma, some of which share border crossings with Uganda.  http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=44395