The Ministry of Health has said the MTN Marathon that was held on Sunday 20th November was not an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) super spreader as claimed by several Ugandans on social media.
In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry said the Marathon was cleared and authorized after assessing that the event posed no risk of transmission among the participants.
“Attention has been drawn to various social media posts highlighting that the MTN 2022 Marathon held in Kampala is an ‘Ebola super spreader’ event. The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that following consultations with the technical officers, the Ministry cleared and authorized the MTN 2022 Marathon after assessing that the event posed no risk of Ebola transmission among the participants.”
The Ministry enlightened that unlike COVID-19, the risk of Ebola transmission and spread is highest when people are symptomatic or presenting with signs and symptoms.
They said basing on the screening measures in place at the weekend marathon, no participant presented with any other symptom. Furthermore, they said symptomatic EVD patients can barely engage in rigorous activities including running and aerobics.
In addition, the Ministry said Kampala Metropolitan Area has not registered cases beyond those that were under quarantine, having been contacts to confirmed cases recorded in Kampala.
“It is important to note that isolating contacts early before they manifest the disease ably curbs the transmission. This has worked well for Kampala alongside other measures like active surveillance,” the Ministry’s statement read further.
”The epi centre districts of Mubende and Kasanda remain under restricted movement to prevent the exportation of the Ebola virus to other parts of the country. These restrictions in movements are continuously reviewed based on the epidemiological trends and risk of transmission.”
The Ministry however, applauded MTN and all its stakeholders for organising a successful marathon whose proceeds are geared towards improvement of child health care.
“We applaud all event organisers who continuously seek clearance prior to their activities. Beyond the MTN Kampala Marathon, the Ministry has previously cleared a number of events, including music concerts after undertaking Ebola risk assessment and organisers demonstrating availability of preventive measures,” added.