{UAH} Ebola alert: MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MINISTRY OF HEALTH TAKES PREVENTIVE MEASURES ON EBOLA SPREAD

Three countries of West Africa, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have
for the last four months been devastated by an outbreak of Ebola
epidemic. As of July 27th, there were 1,323 registered cases including
729 deaths.

The epidemic has since spilled over to Nigeria and we have just
received information of a new unconfirmed case in Nairobi, Kenya. This
outbreak affected Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia hence the
escalating cases and the transmission by international travellers.
This has caused panic among Ugandans with a fear that Ebola could
spread to Uganda.
The Government of Uganda therefore wishes to clarify on the following;

There is no confirmed case of Ebola in Uganda. Media reports of
reported case in Kitgum and Kampala districts are false. Any reported
case will be investigated promptly and the public will; be informed.

I wish to reaffirm that no case has been reported in the country since
the outbreak was declared in West Africa. Our National Taskforce on
Epidemics and Disease Surveillance is on alert to watch out on any
Ebola alerts throughout the county.

The Ministry of Health will regularly update the country on the outbreak.

Since July, 2014, the Ministry of Health has undertaken the following
measures to prevent the spread of Ebola in Uganda.

1. We have heightened surveillance in all districts. All districts
have been directed to be vigilant and look out for suspected cases and
alerts for immediate action. Additionally, all districts with border
posts have been asked to intensify disease surveillance especially for
people with a travel history to the affected countries.
2. We have intensified screening at Entebbe International Airport. We
have set up a health desk to conduct this screening. The exercise
targets all people with recent travel of 21 days in any affected
countries. The isolation unit at Entebbe and the airport medical
centre have been equipped.
3. We have adequate medical and health supplies in all Regional
Referral Hospitals
4. The National Medical Stores (NMS) has stocked the necessary medical
and health supplies ready for dispatch to any affected region.
5. A team of experts has already been dispatched to Buvuma Island to
ascertain the entry points and give guidance on Ebola control measures
6. The Ministry of Health has assembled a team of experts to be on
standby to be deployed in areas where suspected cases are reported.

Precautions

• The Public is advised to limit their travels to any of the affected
countries until the situation is contained. The Ministry of Health
clarifies that there is no travel bans to the affected countries. In
case of any travels, the public is advised to observe the
precautionary measures instituted by the respective countries.

The public is further reminded that Ebola is a highly infectious
disease, which presents with high grade fever and bleeding tendencies.
It is very infectious, kills in a short time but can be prevented. The
signs and symptoms of the disease include
• fever,
• vomiting,
• diarrhoea,
• abdominal pain,
• headache,
• measles-like rash,
• red eyes, and sometimes with bleeding from body openings.

Ebola can be spread through contact with affected persons and by using
instruments and objects that have been used by an infected person.
Likewise, a person can get it by touching a dead body of a person who
has died of the disease.

The Ministry of Health once again calls upon the public to be vigilant
and stay calm as all possible measures are being taken to keep the
country safe from the epidemic.

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
HON. DR. RUHAKANA RUGUNDA

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