Health officials rule out Ebola outbreak in Kyangwali refugee settlement

Kikuube, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Health officials have ruled out an outbreak of Ebola in Kyangwali refugee settlement area in Kikuube district.

There was panic among refugees at the settlement after two of the refugees presented with symptoms similar to those of Ebola. The patients both men aged 40 and 45 had a high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Blood samples were taken from the patients and taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe. The suspected patients were immediately isolated at Kasonga health center III, Ebola treatment unit.

Dr. Nelson Naisye, the Kikuube District Health officer-DHO says that the samples tested negative for Ebola. He asked residents to remain calm and adhere to the set guidelines issued by the health ministry.

According to Naisye, the district is on high alert and prepared to handle any cases of Ebola outbreak saying they have revived all the COVID-19 surveillance teams. He rallied the locals to report any Ebola-related symptoms to health experts for quick action to be taken.

Dr. Naisye says that they have established three Ebola treatment units in the district to attend to any possible cases. The treatment units are at Kikuube health center IV, Kasonga health center III, and Sebigoro health center III.

Amlan Tumusiime, the Kikuube Resident District Commissioner-RDC says they have heightened both health and security surveillance along the Uganda-DRC border to control cross-border movements and further influx of DRC nationals in the country adding that thorough screening is currently ongoing.

Tumusiime has tasked residents in the district to be vigilant and timely report any suspected cases to health and security officials for immediate intervention to be taken.

The health ministry last week confirmed an outbreak of Ebola in Mubende district.

According to the ministry, a sample taken from a 24-year-old man from Madudu sub-county was identified as the relatively rare Sudan strain of Ebola, a severe and often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates.

The Ebola death toll in the country currently stands at 23 after the disease spread from Mubende to Kassanda and Kyegegwa districts.

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