Ministry of Health issues alert after Ebola outbreak in Uganda

The Ministry of Health has issued a public alert following the declaration of an outbreak of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in neighbouring Uganda.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, in a statement on Friday, expressed the government’s commitment to safeguard its citizens owing to the porous nature of the Kenya-Uganda border.

“In view of this, we would like to assure the public that the Ministry of Health remains committed to protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans,” stated Muthoni.

“Consequently, a rapid assessment of the country's capacity to respond to a similar outbreak is underway, shortly after which a comprehensive plan will be developed to guide countrywide preparedness and response activities for Ebola. As a precautionary measure, surveillance systems have been enhanced in all counties and points of entry.”

PS Muthoni issued safety guidelines to citizens to be able to mitigate the deadly virus in case of possible importation.

To avert the spread of the highly virulent and often fatal viral disease (EBV), with reported case fatality rates of up to 90%, citizens have been urged to avoid close contact with both infected people or animals and animal products.

This is because the virus can be transmitted through body fluids or by close contact with both Ebola virus-infected humans or animals and animal products.

“The disease spreads amongst people via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes), blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials such as beddings and clothing contaminated with infected fluids,” stated PS Muthoni.

Primary signs and symptoms of the virus which often begin abruptly are fever, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting and body malaise.

Hemorrhagic manifestations (bleeding tendencies from body orifices) of the disease appear in the later stages of the disease, as it progresses.

Anyone showing symptoms of Ebola has thus been advised to immediately seek medical care at health facilities, and avoid treating patients at home.

Families of people who have died from EVD have been cautioned against touching or washing the body since they should receive a safe and dignified burial.

“The virus can easily spread to family members or healthcare providers who are not wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for someone who is ill with EVD or while handling the body of someone who has died of the disease,” stated PS Muthoni.

Additionally, the public is advised to avoid contact with live and dead wild animals, including meat, faeces and body fluids, as well as unprotected sexual activities.

Uganda confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the capital Kampala with the first confirmed patient dying from it on Wednesday.