Kampala, June 11 (IANS). Uganda has announced additional precautionary measures due to fears of the spread of Ebola infection. The country’s Health Ministry has increased surveillance in border districts as well as imposed restrictions on public events.
Following President Yoweri Museveni’s address to the nation on Wednesday, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said special containment guidelines had been issued to all districts bordering DRC, the epicenter of the current Ebola outbreak.
The government has temporarily suspended wedding ceremonies, market days and other large public events. Schools have been instructed to strictly follow the guidelines of the Health Ministry.
According to the Health Ministry, there have been no new cases of Ebola in Uganda in the past five days. A total of 19 confirmed cases have been reported in the country so far, including two deaths.
Diana Atwine, permanent secretary of the ministry, said that recent studies have indicated that after symptoms appear, the Ebola virus is found in higher quantities in saliva, vomit and feces than in blood.
He appealed to people not to share cups, glasses or other drinking utensils with anyone else. Also advised to avoid eating cut fruits, because it is difficult to find out whether any animal has touched or eaten them before or not.
On the other hand, the number of Ebola cases in DRC has increased to 635. Health Minister Roger Kamba said that according to data recorded as of June 9, the outbreak still remains a challenge, but relief and treatment efforts are making progress.
He said the percentage of monitoring of persons who came in contact with infected people has increased to 61.1 percent, which was 56.4 percent a day earlier. Health teams are continuously monitoring each affected area and possible infection signs.
Kamba also informed about the recovery of eight new patients. Of these, seven patients are from Nayanakunde and one from Mongbavalu. With this the total number of recovered patients has reached 30.
“The recovery of every patient sends a message that timely treatment can save lives,” he said.
The government has so far sent 490 tons of medicines to affected areas, strengthened testing labs and deployed around-the-clock emergency teams in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
The DRC announced this new Ebola outbreak on May 15. Two days later, the World Health Organization declared it an international public health emergency.
Health experts believe that prevention of infection, early detection and timely treatment is the most effective strategy to control this deadly disease.
–IANS
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