Reports of 3 confirmed cases of Ebola infection in Uganda is increasing prove that the Ebola outbreak which in began about a year ago in the DRC has long been an international public health emergency and now the alert levels must be raised.
Also necessary resources to contain a further spread must be made available. In addition ASDPN is recommending that immediate commencement of vaccination against the Ebola virus to reduce possibilities of a further spread especially around border towns, we are also recommending that the education of community members be put on the top of the to do list mindful of the catastrophic effects that limited awareness has caused in the DRC.
Already infected persons and their families must also receive the necessary psychological support, specialized health centers to handle Ebola cases must be immediately put in place, border communities to the DRC must be put on high alert and an effective system that monitors movements in and out of already infected communities in the DRC and within Uganda must be put in place.
The ASDPN urges the Ugandan government, WHO, Africa CDC and other major stakeholders involved in Ebola response to consider these recommendations. In as much the present outbreak is a major call for concern, we urge the Ugandan population to remain calm but yet very watchful for suspected cases.
Watch out for the Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which include:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea