The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mubende, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The number of people admitted at Mubende Referral Hospital suspected of suffering from Ebola has increased from 21 to 30.
Health workers at Mubende hospital said that the patients were brought to the hospital from Madudu Sub County in Mubende District and Kyaka Refugee Camp in Kyegegwa District.
Rosemary Byabashaija, the Mubende Resident District Commissioner, said that the 14 are suspected cases and have been isolated as they wait for the results that were taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute-UVRI.
She added that the 16 patients all tested positive after they were tracked by the surveillance team from Madudu Sub County. Byabashaija also the chairperson of Taskforce said that one girl died in the hospital and that the body awaits the burial team to handle.
The death of the 12-year-old girl brings to 3, the number of people who have died in the hospital while the first deaths including an enrolled nurse were announced before confirmation of Ebola. She said the father of the deceased, being an immediate contact person, has been isolated.
According to Byabashaija, the district lacks resources like fuel to respond to alerts and emergencies.
Byabashaija also said that infection control teams comprising medical personnel and senior educationists have been sent to assess the situation as well as sensitize the school communities. However, she revealed that the medical teams are working with low morale because allowances have not been released.
At Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, a tent where people accessing the facility will be screened has been erected. The Director of Mubende Hospital, Dr. Paul Emmanuel Batiibwa says that arrangements are underway to set up a space that can admit and treat more than 50 patients.
Meanwhile, a suspected Ebola patient has been admitted to an isolation ward at Warr Health center IV in Warr Town Council, Zombo District.
Richard Bayo, the Regional Disease Surveillance Officer at Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) notes that the patient checked into the facility on Wednesday with signs and symptoms that are consistent with Ebola virus. He says that the patient was bleeding through body openings.
According to Bayo, they have extracted samples from the patient and have been sent for analysis at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.
Lt Col. Pius Alitema the RDC of Zombo District says they are aware of the suspected case noting that there is no need for alarm. He however has advised the locals to be extra vigilant.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a person suffering from Ebola presents with sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
Meanwhile, the UN health agency says the incubation period for Ebola Hemorrhagic fever is between two to 21 days. Uganda last reported an outbreak of Ebola Sudan strain in 2012.
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