Health authorities in Uganda have been urged to intensify surveillance and control measures by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the AU’s specialized healthcare agency.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — In the wake of an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Uganda, the African Union’s medical and public health agency, the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is urging health authorities there to improve surveillance and control measures.
- In the wake of the outbreak of Ebola virus disease reported in Uganda, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU), has asked for stronger surveillance and control measures.
- Following the confirmation of an Ebola infection at the Mubende regional referral hospital, the Africa CDC made the call after Uganda declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the district of Mubende in the central part of the country on Tuesday.
- On Sept. 15, a person presenting Ebola symptoms was admitted to Mubende regional referral hospital and died on Sept. 19. Others in local communities have reported strange illnesses leading to deaths.
- During the last two decades, Uganda has experienced over five Ebola outbreaks, most of them in its western regions, close to the DRC.
- In addition to fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise, and bleeding, Ebola is highly contagious. A person who contracts Ebola is expected to die from the disease at a rate of 50 percent to 89 percent, according to the WHO.
According to the Africa CDC, the announcement came after Uganda on Tuesday declared an Ebola outbreak in Mubende, a district in the central part of the country, following the confirmation of a case at Mubende regional referral hospital.
“The Africa CDC recommends to all neighboring and affected districts to enhance their disease surveillance and laboratory testing, implement appropriate infection prevention and control measures,” the agency said late Tuesday.
Furthermore, the African CDC stressed the need to increase communication on target risks and community awareness about disease prevention and control. In order to coordinate and align emergency preparedness and response activities across the region, the CDC said it would work closely with all neighboring districts at risk, member states, and partners.
Currently, investigations are being conducted regarding the possible sources of infection and list contacts, and preliminary investigation reports indicate six deaths in the same district that have been unexplained.
The Africa CDC said it is preparing to deploy more experts to support the contact tracing and investigation of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, noting that a team from the Regional Coordinating Center (RCC) and headquarters has been deployed to the Uganda Ministry of Health.
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Through the Africa CDC, the African Union Commission said it would continue to work with Uganda’s health authorities to provide more emergency response support, supplies and equipment.
Local authorities confirm that a person died on Sept. 19 after being admitted to a regional referral hospital with Ebola symptoms on Sept. 15. Six other deaths are under investigation after local communities reported people suffering strange illnesses.
As a result of the World Health Organization announcing an Ebola case in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda intensified surveillance on its western border. The ministry said in 21 districts along the border there was a high risk of disease spread.
A Ministry of Health report indicates that Uganda has experienced more than five Ebola outbreaks in the last two decades, mostly in western areas close to the DRC.
A highly contagious virus, Ebola causes a wide range of symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, generalized pain or malaise, and internal and external bleeding. It is estimated that the mortality rate for those with Ebola ranges from 50 per cent to 89 per cent, according to the WHO.
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