Health officials and other authorities in Kibaale are warning against social gatherings after an outbreak of Ebola in the district.
Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization on Saturday confirmed that the mysterious illness that has left 14 people dead, among them twelve family members is Ebola. This followed Laboratory investigations done at the Uganda Virus Research Institute which confirmed the disease.
The disease broke out about three weeks ago in an extended family of Yostus Isoke of Nyanswiga village Nyamarunda Sub County, killing him and his other eleven family members.
A clinical officer at Kagadi hospital Clare Muhumuza and her four month old baby also succumbed to the virus.
Muhumuza who treated most of the patients died on Tuesday at Mulago hospital, while her child died on Saturday.
Dr Dan Kyamanywa, the Kibaale district Health officer, says two people are admitted with the disease at the newly established Kagadi hospital Ebola isolation ward. Although refusing to name the victims, the health officer explains that one is a relative of the deceased clinical officer while the other is a distance relative of Yostus Isoke’s family.
The patient has been close to the family during the illness thus contracting the disease.
Meanwhile a team from the Ministry of Health and those from the virus research institute is in the district to man the Ebola treatment center at Kagadi hospital and do more investigation into the origin of the disease in Kibaale.
Aware that Ebola is a viral disease that spreads so easily, health officials are warning against social gatherings and unnecessary body contacts. Dr. Kyamanywa says his office is now on a trail to sensitize the masses against such social gatherings as weddings, funeral rites and handshakes as a precaution to the disease spread.
The doctor also calls for vigilance in reporting mysterious illness and proper handling of patients with protective gloves.
Robinnah Nabanja, the Kibaale district woman Member of Parliament, says the disease outbreak is a shock to the district. Nabanja calls on locals to observe the precautionary measures as prescribed by health officials to avoid catching the disease.
News of the Ebola outbreak has caused panic at Kagadi hospital as some patients and their attendants first fled the wards on Saturday for fear of catching the disease. By Sunday morning the always full outpatient department at the hospital was almost empty.
In 2000, at least 425 people were infected of whom more than half died. Those who died included Dr Matthew Lukwiya, who together with his medical staff at St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor in Gulu, tried to contain the virus from spreading.
In another outbreak in 2007, at least 37 people died.
Ebola or hemorrhagic fever is highly infectious disease and kills its victims quickly. Symptoms are varied and can include fever, soreness, headache and weakness, followed by diarrhea and vomiting. Some patients suffer from red eyes, as well as internal and external bleeding. Kibaale’s type is Ebola Sudan which is not as deadly as Ebola Zaire, according to health officials.
