The Nebbi District Health Officer Dr Oryema Jakor has clarified that the couple whose deaths on Monday sparked an Ebola scare in the district could have died of dysentery and not the deadly disease now reported in Kibaale district.
The couple succumbed to severe vomiting and dysentery at Angal Hospital sparking off fears that they could have died of Ebola. The news spread like bushfire sending shockwaves among the people.
The district health authorities informed the National Ebola Taskforce requesting for experts and help as they frantically did what they could include using medics to bury the couple.
Dr Jakor says they have clinically examined the two deaths and there are strong indicators that dysentery was the cause.
The DHO says, as a result, there is no need for the team of experts from Kampala, adding that they are, however, monitoring all those who came into contact with the deceased.
Dr Jakor’s clarification comes after he received angry responses from members of Nebbi Community, an online group, after it was claimed that he took very long to respond to the scare. The DHO reportedly arrived after the couple had been buried.
But Richard Orieda, the Nebbi finance secretary has defended Dr Jakor saying he had to work professionally in order not to create unnecessary panic among the public.
