Ebola virus disease outbreak

Summary statement of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni address to the nation on the Ebola virus disease outbreak

As of 27th September 2022, there were 24 confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and 05 deaths from the districts of Mubende, Kyegegwa and Kassanda.

Six (6) healthcare workers (4 doctors, 1 anesthesiologist, 1 medical student), exposed to the index case between 15th and 18th have tested positive to Ebola and are being managed at Mubende and Fort Portal Referral Hospitals.

The current transmission in Madudu sub-county in Mubende District and in other districts appears to be driven by exposure at burials and family interactions following the death of people suspected to have succumbed to Ebola.

Interventions

1. A Rapid Response Team was immediately deployed in the Greater Mubende region to carry out an immediate assessment and support the response. Based on information from this team, the Ministry of Health has classified the country into three risk zones:

• Category 1 – (Very High risk)- Mubende, Kyegegwa and

Kassanda Districts

• Category 2 – (High risk) – The districts bordering

Category 1 districts namely; Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi, Kiboga, Mityana, Kibale, Kazo, Gomba, Sembabule, and Kyenjojo Districts. Kampala and Wakiso are also included in this category because of ease of movement and trade. 

• Category 3 – (Moderate risk) – Rest of the country

2. Experts that previously handled Ebola outbreaks in Gulu, Bundibugyo, Kibaale and Luwero have been deployed to Mubende, Kassanda and Kyegegwa districts to manage patients and control the spread of the outbreak.

3. The Ebola Treatment Unit at Mubende Regional Referral hospital is currently at 51 bed capacity for confirmed cases and 80 beds for suspect cases.

4. Since most of the Ebola cases are coming from Madudu sub-county which is the epicentre, Government has decided to set up an additional Ebola Treatment Unit of 30 beds at Madudu Health Centre III. This is to avoid the 30km distance of transferring patients to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital and to improve early patient care and management.

5. To facilitate this, the Government will immediately connect Madudu sub-county to the National Electricity grid to provide power to the sub county and the health center.

6. Furthermore, a solar powered borehole will be sunk at Madudu Health Center III to provide running water.

7. By Friday 30th September, 2022, two mobile diagnostic laboratories will be deployed in Mubende District. This will shorten the turnaround time of sample processing, and improve timely patient care.

Vaccination against Sudan Ebolavirus

There is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan Ebolavirus disease. However, there are several vaccines for Ebola-Sudan undergoing trials.

Government is exploring all options to get a safe and effective  vaccine as quickly as possible. H.E the President will update the nation as soon as this becomes available.

Museveni reassures the nation “I want to reassure Ugandans and all Residents that the Government has capacity to control this outbreak as we have done before.

Therefore, there is no need for anxiety, panic, restriction of movements or unnecessary closure of public places like schools, markets, places of worship etc. as of now” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

“Our healthcare workers will do all it takes to save lives and bring the situation under control. I call upon the public to cooperate with the healthcare workers and report anybody with signs and symptoms similar to that of Ebola.” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lV-YMFjsxo