Online Reporter
KAMPALA. – Uganda yesterday announced the immediate closure of its border with the neighbouring eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to prevent the possible spread of the Ebola virus disease, a senior health official said.
Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, told reporters that only authorised and essential personnel will be allowed to cross into Uganda as authorities intensify measures to contain the possible spread of the disease from eastern DRC, where the outbreak is escalating.
“The only exceptions are for authorised Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security personnel,” Atwine said. “However, all these teams will be subjected to strict health screening and monitoring protocols across Uganda.”
The country’s confirmed Ebola cases have risen to eight, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said yesterday.
Addressing a virtual press conference online, Africa CDC director general Jean Kaseya said that, as of Wednesday, Uganda had recorded eight confirmed cases and one death since the outbreak was announced on May 15.
He said there had been no local transmission in Uganda, noting that the local cases were linked to people who had travelled from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicentre of the current regional outbreak.
Kaseya said Uganda, with support from the Africa CDC, the World Health Organisation, and other partners, is taking appropriate measures to contain the spread of the disease.
According to Atwine, all travellers entering Uganda from the DRC through air or land borders will now be required to undergo mandatory self-isolation for 21 days.
The ministry has also introduced enhanced screening and traveller monitoring systems at border points and airports.
“We have introduced locator phones at border points and at all ports of entry, including the airport. These locator systems will capture detailed information on every traveller, including where they are going,” Atwine said.
Meanwhile, the ministry has intensified community sensitisation and public engagement campaigns on Ebola in the capital, Kampala, where the country’s first case was reported.
It has suspended specific non-structured activities considered high-risk for Ebola transmission such as music concerts, entertainment shows, cultural festivals, political rallies, marathons, walkathons, and public recreational events.
Public awareness campaigns are also ongoing in the neighbouring district of Wakiso and in border districts.
The districts share porous borders with eastern DRC, allowing frequent cross-border movement that health officials fear could accelerate the spread of the disease.
Authorities have also stepped up awareness campaigns on social media platforms to educate the public about Ebola symptoms and preventive measures.
Atwine urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases immediately. – Xinhua
