The Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has tipped frontline health workers to observe cautiousness as they treat Ebola patients in a bid to avoid contracting the virus.
Aceng who was addressing the media on the current virus situation in the country commended the frontliners for their tremendous work in fighting the virus.
But warned they should remain extra vigilant and wear protective gears before attending to patients in addition to undertaking other preventive measures in place including washing their hands with soap.
“Dear Health Workers, First of all, thank you for the great selfless work that you are doing in order to save lives. As you carry out your work in the Ebola Outbreak, please protect yourself by appropriately wearing your PPE. Your health and life is equally precious,” Aceng said.
“As health workers, you at a high risk of contracting the Ebola virus. Protect yourself by wearing the personal protective gears (PPE including gloves, goggles, gowns, boots and masks when attending to patients,” she added.
More than 10 healthcare workers have so far contracted the virus since the latest outbreak in Uganda. Of these, five have died from it including one Tanzanian doctor.
As of 26 October 2022 according to health ministry, 109 infections have been registered of the Ebola virus of whom 30 have succumbed, 34 treated and 45 are under treatment.
Although most cases have been reported from Mubende, the districts of Bunyangabu, Kyegegwa, Kassanda and Kagadi have also had cases. Mukono and Kampala are the latest to join this list.
As of 19 October 2022, according to WHO, health officials have identified at least 2,007 contacts of cases, of which 931 (46%) have completed 21 days of follow up. With this, there are at least eight EVD cases recently reported that have no known links with current cases.
History
On 20 September 2022, the Ministry of Health in Uganda, together with the World Health Organization – Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) confirmed an outbreak of EVD due to Sudan ebolavirus in Mubende District, Uganda, after one fatal case was confirmed.
The index case was a 24-year-old man, a resident of Ngabano village of Madudu sub-county in Mubende District.The patient experienced high fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and had been vomiting blood since 11 September 2022.
Samples were collected on 18 September 2022 and EVD was laboratory-confirmed on 19 September. The patient died on the same day, five days after hospitalisation.
On 15 October 2022, the President of Uganda imposed a 21-day lockdown on Mubende and Kassanda districts to contain the outbreak of EVD.
Among other measures, the President imposed an overnight curfew, ordered the closure of all places of worship and entertainment, in addition to restricting movement in and out of the two districts.