Ugandans are now living in fear and shock after one individual suspected to be an Ebola patient was announced dead in Kasangati, a Kampala suburb.
According to Dr Ssejibwa Peter, the deceased is a 22-year-old male student from Namulonge, Busukuma sub-county, and died yesterday at 5 PM after presenting symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
This however, follows an earlier outbreak of the virus in Mubende District involving a 24 year old male who presented with EVD symptoms over the weekend and later succumbed.
“Uganda has stellar experience in handling outbreaks and epidemics of this nature. We have dispatched teams to Mubende District to enhance surveillance and community awareness. The public is urged to remain vigilant and calm as teams undertake the necessary action,” the health ministry said on Monday that the patient was positive for the Ebola-Sudan strain.
Ebola is a killer disease caused by the virus. It is spread through contact with bats and monkeys and also through contact with infected persons.
A person infected with Ebola is not contagious before the symptoms appear. The incubation period is two to 21 days.
Among other signs and symptoms, a person suffering from Ebola presents high fever, abdominal pain, joint or body pain, difficulty in swallowing, headache, nausea, vomiting, and rash.