Government through the Ministry of Health has confirmed that “no single case of Ebola Virus Disease that has been confirmed in Uganda.”
Reports about a suspected Ebola outbreak in the country had hit public domain with the suspect identified on May 30th and isolated at Lacor Hospital in Gulu District, Northern Uganda.
A 19-year-old girl from Mocope village, Paridi parish, Adjumani town council – in Adjumani District, was the suspect referred to Lacor Hospital with severe anaemia.
She reportedly presented to the hospital Out Patient Department with history of vaginal bleeding, fever, lower abdominal pain, vomiting and difficult breathing, raising suspicion about the viral hemorrhagic fever.
But according to Prof. Anthony Mbonye, the Acting Director General Health Services in the Ministry of Health, “results from the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) indicated that the case tested negative for all Ebola viruses and other hemorrhagic fevers such as, Marburg, Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever and Rift Valley Fever.”
ChimpReports understands that the teenage woman was found to be suffering from thrombocytopenia, a blood clotting complication.
Thrombocytopenia is a condition where a person doesn’t have enough platelet cells in the blood that stick together to help it clot.
The victim comes from Adjumani District that neighbors Democratic Republic of Congo which is currently with cases of Ebola
Government has since set strict measures to prevent any possible spread of the epidemic to Uganda which include;
Screening of travelers at Entebbe International Airport. All travelers from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are being screened at the Health desk for Ebola signs and symptoms. The screening targets all passengers who have had a history of travel of not less than 21 days to the DRC.
The passengers are required to complete a screening form and an information leaflet about Ebola and contact numbers of surveillance are given to all non-symptomatic passengers. A private Medical Centre at the airport has been equipped to provide counselling and clinical screening of all suspects. A standby ambulance with driver and relevant protective gear has been provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and is available twenty four seven.
The Ministry of Health has instructed leaders in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Kisoro, Kanungu, Kasese, Bundibugyo,Hoima, Bulisa, Nebbi, Arua, Maracha, Koboko, Kibaaleand Kabaale to reactivate the District Task Forces in preparations for any possible outbreak.
These taskforces are assigned to conduct a rapid risk assessment on importation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases through their districts, review and update district EVD preparedness and response plans, and establish ground crossing requirements (temperature screening/verbal screening/hand washing/IEC materials) to limit the risk of EVD importation while avoiding unnecessary interference in trade and travel.
They are also expected to ensure adequate community information and heightened surveillance by front line health workers in all health facilities.
Isolation facilities in Bundibugyo district and Entebbe airport have been set up to attend to any suspected case. Health workers have been oriented on handling Ebola patients including Infection control and supportive care.