The death toll as a result of Ebola outbreak in Kibaale district has clocked 16 people after two more people died on Monday.
Dr Dan Kyamanywa, the Kibaale district health officer, identifies the deceased as Nicholas Asingwire, aged five years and Frediano Nsabimaana, whose age could not be immediately established.
Asingwire hails from Kenga in Kagadi Sub County, while Nsabimaana is a resident of Nyamugusa in Bwamiramira Sub County.
Dr Kyamanywa says the two died on Monday within their areas of residence but were buried by Ebola burial experts.
The health officer says although the community members put the death toll at 20, his records indicate 16.
Meanwhile the number of patients admitted at Kagadi hospital has grown to 19 from seven on Monday evening.
Dr Kyamanywa explains that the patients have been collected from the sub counties of Nyamarunda, Burora, Bwamiramira, Kyaterekera, Muhorro and Kagadi town council.
The patients are now admitted at Kagadi hospital’s Ebola isolation ward.
The health officer attributes the growing number of patients to the continued vigilance by residents who are now readily identifying cases and reporting them to the health personnel.
Dr Kyamanywa has meanwhile noted a challenge of limited staff that cannot ably cater for the growing number of patients.
In the neighbouring districts, officials are setting up Ebola taskforce teams to handle the hemorrhagic virus. In Hoima, the Resident District Commissioner Jeanne Kaliba is heading the team that comprises the district executive, the health personnel, members of the security forces and Uganda Wildlife Authority among others.
George Bagonza Tinkamanyire, the Hoima district chairman and member of the committee, says their role is to create awareness and run a campaign geared towards promoting vigilance to readily identify suspected cases.
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In Mubende district an isolation center has been set up following reports that Ebola patients from Kibaale were flocking Mubende hospital for treatment. The hospital director, Dr. Edward Nkurunziza, was quoted in the media on Tuesday morning as saying that the isolation centre would handle Ebola cases if confirmed.
A planned trip to Kabarole district by Owobusobozi Bisaka, the leader of the Faith of Unity, was blocked by the district officials who went ahead to form a committee headed by Dr Richard Mugahi, the district health officer. Faith of Unity is a religious cult based in Muhorro Sub County in Kibaale district, but with followers in Kibaale, Hoima, Masindi, Kyenjojo, Kabarole, Kasese and Kamwenge among other districts.
In an address to the nation on Monday, President Yoweri Museveni said that at least seven doctors at Mulago Hospital who treated an Ebola patient from Kibaale district have been placed under quarantine. Also quarantined are 13 health workers who handled the patient who died a few days ago.
