History of Ebola in Uganda, Symptoms and Kenya’s Preparedness in Combating the Virus

Kenyan health officers at the Kenya-Uganda border in Busia are on high alert following the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in neighboring Uganda that so far claimed the life of a five-year-old boy.

Ebola screening at the border has since been intensified beginning of Wednesday after the case of the five-year-old boy and two adults were confirmed in Kasese, which is in Western Uganda

All travelers coming from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan have to go through the screening process

Health officials are using thermos-guns to check temperature levels to prevent direct contact with travelers.

History of Ebola in Uganda

This is not the first time Uganda is experiencing the Ebola outbreak, actually, it is the fourth outbreak and Uganda has previously managed to contain the situation.

In October 2000 to January 2001, Uganda was hard-hit when 425 people were infected and 224 of those died. The outbreak occurred in Gulu, Masindi and Mbarara districts in Uganda.

In December 2007 to January 2008, Uganda was hit again with 149 cases of Ebola, 37 of those succumbed to the virus in Bundibugyo district of Western Uganda.

June to August 2012 saw Uganda battle the virus again like it in infected 24 people and 17 of those died.

In August 2018, the DRC, which neighbors Uganda, declared an outbreak after 4 individuals tested positive for the virus. As DRC fought to eradicate the virus in their country, an unfortunate case of a five-year-old boy case occurred in Uganda.

Two more people were diagnosed with the virus creating fear in neighboring countries that stepped up screening to avoid a similar case in their Countries. The five-year-old boy sadly passed away on 11 June 2019, the next patient, a woman also succumbed to the virus.

Kenya Issues an Official Alert

Kenya being a neighbor to Uganda has had the Health ministry issue a statement, saying it had issued an alert to all the health workers and the public to enhance surveillance measures.

“The ministry continues to monitor the evolution of the prolonged Ebola outbreak in the DRC which began in August 2018, with a view to strengthening the country’s preparedness and response capacity,” the statement read.

Ebola Symptoms

People infected with Ebola cannot spread the virus until the symptoms begin to appear. This happens after an incubation period of between two to 21 days.

• Sudden high fever
• Muscle weakness
• Sore throat
• Intense muscle and joint pain
• Headaches
• Vomiting

In extreme cases, Ebola patients suffer the following symptoms

• Internal and external bleeding
• Kidney Complications

Ebola is passed through bodily fluids, which include sweat passed through even the shaking of hands

The Ministry of Health has asked the public to be vigilant and report suspected cases of the virus to the nearest health facilities or through its emergency operations center via hotlines 0732 353535 and 0729 471414.

Read:

• Deadly Ebola Virus Confirmed in Uganda – WHO