A suspected Ebola patient who has been under monitoring at Kabale regional referral hospital has tested negative.
The 30 year old man, a resident of Bigaga parish in Butanda Sub County, was rushed to the facility on Wednesday afternoon after he reported to Rugarama hospital from where he was refered to Kabale hospital. His arrival at the hospital threw both patients and health workers into panic, with many running away from the wards for fear of contracting the deadly hemorrhagic virus.
The patient was put in an Isolation Unit where he stayed for hours before his blood samples were taken.
The hospital administrator, David Tibemanya, told URN reporter that a total of 35 patients discharged themselves from the hospital after realizing that the suspect had been brought to the facility.
Tibemanya says that the hospital authorities were happy to hear that the patient had tested negative to the disease as they were without protective gears. He says that the patient will remain at the hospital as he receives treatment for the symptoms.
Kabale district Director of Health Services, Dr. Patrick Tusiime, says that the district will remain on alert.
Tusiime also asked the locals to suspend journeys to the Ebola hit district of Kibaale where at least 16 people have died since the outbreak of the virus a month ago.
Just two days ago, another patient who had been under close monitoring for Ebola signs at Mbale Referral Hospital also tested negative.
