Uganda fights deadly Ebola epidemic as president ensures it is under control

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has assured the country that the Ebola outbreak is under control and that no travel restrictions are necessary. Health officials in the country have confirmed a deadly case of Ebola virus in Sudan, reporting six deaths out of 31 confirmed cases. The Uganda Medical Association says some of its members are seriously ill and have threatened to go on strike with medical interns who claim they have insufficient personal protective equipment.

In an address to the nation Wednesday night, President Yoweri Museveni urged Ugandans to avoid contact with bodily fluids such as blood, feces and vomit from infected people.

Despite being the source of the Sudan Ebola virus, a strain for which the World Health Organization says vaccine cross-protection against other Ebola strains has not been established, Museveni is providing Ugandans with the meat of monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas. warned against eating

“I want to assure the Ugandan people and all residents that the government has the ability to control this outbreak as it has in the past. There is no need for unnecessary closures of public places such as markets, places of worship, etc.,” he said.

The 31 confirmed Ebola cases so far include 6 people including 4 doctors, 1 anesthesiologist and 1 medical student who were exposed to the first cases in Mubende, Kigegwa and Kasanda districts. Includes health care workers.

Museveni, who warned Ugandans not to shake hands, said Uganda was still discussing a vaccine for Sudan’s Ebola virus, which was first reported on August 6. There is currently no vaccine licensed against the Ebola virus in Sudan.

“One of the issues we were discussing the other day was why they don’t use the Ebola Zaire vaccine. It’s not specific to Ebola Sudan, but it’s Ebola,” he said. It shares some features, and it’s safe, and we’ve used it on our soldiers, so why not give it a try?”

The government is currently setting up Ebola treatment units with 51 beds for confirmed cases and 80 for suspected cases.

Two mobile diagnostic laboratories will be deployed in the Mubende district by Friday to reduce turnaround times for sampling, processing and improving patient care.

Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Achen also eased fears among health care workers, especially those infected with the virus.

“I want to thank them for the work they do.

But Dr. Sam Ored, president of the Uganda Medical Association, describes a different situation in the affected districts for health workers.

“When we start losing our healthcare workers, I don’t think we can control it. Interns and SHO’s having a hard time this morning. [Senior Health Officer] They’re on oxygen and it’s not working. What we are trying to mobilize now is ICU administration. I can’t afford to have the corpse of a medic at a time like that. And if the worst happens, we guarantee that we will stop services in Mubende,” he said.

Sudan’s Ebola virus is not as common as Zaire’s Ebola virus, and there is currently no effective vaccine. Sudan His Ebola His virus was first reported in 1976 in southern Sudan. Since then, both Uganda and Sudan have reported several outbreaks, but Uganda’s deadliest outbreak was his in 2000, claiming more than 200 lives.

The last Ebola outbreak in Uganda in 2019 was confirmed to be the Zaire Ebola virus. The last time it reported was the Ebola virus outbreak in Sudan in 2012.