Uganda declared Ebola-free
Mar 02, 2008
BUNDIBUGYO is a stone’s throw away from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The scenery is splendid and the setting idyllic. But life is anything but normal here since Ebola reared its ugly head seven months ago, killing many people.
By Fred Ouma
BUNDIBUGYO is a stone’s throw away from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The scenery is splendid and the setting idyllic. But life is anything but normal here since Ebola reared its ugly head seven months ago, killing many people.
Of the 148 infected with Ebola, 37 people including five medical staff died.
The Bundibugyo outbreak was announced on November 29, 2007.
Fortunately, on January 8, 2008, the isolation ward in Kikyo was closed and the other at Bundibugyo Hospital on January 13, 2008.
“The closure occurred after 21 days after the last Ebola positive case was admitted,†said Dr Collin Tusingwire, the acting Bundibugyo Hospital superintendent.
Origin of the outbreak
Ebola broke out in Kikyo parish Kasitu sub-county and later spread to ngamba parish, Bundibugyo Town Council and Bubukwanga sub-county. The first death occurred after some residents reportedly ate a dead monkey in August.
The confirmation of Ebola was at the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, following investigations at Kikyo. Out of 20 samples taken, nine tested positive for HIV.
Bundibugyo and the neighbouring districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kibaale and Kasese were on alert. Cross-border trade with DRC was suspended and movement of people restricted.
Ronald Maate, a cocoa farmer, said: “It was the middle of the cocoa harvest and the sacks were waiting for the collection trucks that had stopped making their rounds.â€
Usually overloaded taxis felt the pinch. “We reduced the number of passengers and rejected those with diarrhoea, bleeding or vomiting,†said Ahmed Kagonza, a taxi driver.
Preparations
Districts in the Rwenzori region formed committees who appeared on radio and sensitised the masses on how Ebola is spread and how it can be prevented.
In Bundibubyo, two isolation units were created. In other districts emergency centres were also established. But no other district except Bundibugyo, reported cases of Ebola.
What next?
Health teams in Bundibugyo are counselling victims’ families and conducting research to verify that the virus is gone.
“Many people are still stigmatised,†said Ezekiel Kisughu, a survivor. Many are yet to be accepted in their communities.â€
If souvenirs are for rekindling memories, then Ebola might not be forgotten with at least four children named Ebola.
Ebola survivors have also formed an association called Bundibugyo District Ebola Affected, Orphans and Widows and Survivors Association to help members overcome stigma and start self-help projects.
Meanwhile, the machine for testing Ebola and other viruses has been installed at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.
BUNDIBUGYO is a stone’s throw away from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The scenery is splendid and the setting idyllic. But life is anything but normal here since Ebola reared its ugly head seven months ago, killing many people.
Of the 148 infected with Ebola, 37 people including five medical staff died.
The Bundibugyo outbreak was announced on November 29, 2007.
Fortunately, on January 8, 2008, the isolation ward in Kikyo was closed and the other at Bundibugyo Hospital on January 13, 2008.
“The closure occurred after 21 days after the last Ebola positive case was admitted,†said Dr Collin Tusingwire, the acting Bundibugyo Hospital superintendent.
Origin of the outbreak
Ebola broke out in Kikyo parish Kasitu sub-county and later spread to ngamba parish, Bundibugyo Town Council and Bubukwanga sub-county. The first death occurred after some residents reportedly ate a dead monkey in August.
The confirmation of Ebola was at the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, following investigations at Kikyo. Out of 20 samples taken, nine tested positive for HIV.
Bundibugyo and the neighbouring districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kibaale and Kasese were on alert. Cross-border trade with DRC was suspended and movement of people restricted.
Ronald Maate, a cocoa farmer, said: “It was the middle of the cocoa harvest and the sacks were waiting for the collection trucks that had stopped making their rounds.â€
Usually overloaded taxis felt the pinch. “We reduced the number of passengers and rejected those with diarrhoea, bleeding or vomiting,†said Ahmed Kagonza, a taxi driver.
Preparations
Districts in the Rwenzori region formed committees who appeared on radio and sensitised the masses on how Ebola is spread and how it can be prevented.
In Bundibubyo, two isolation units were created. In other districts emergency centres were also established. But no other district except Bundibugyo, reported cases of Ebola.
What next?
Health teams in Bundibugyo are counselling victims’ families and conducting research to verify that the virus is gone.
“Many people are still stigmatised,†said Ezekiel Kisughu, a survivor. Many are yet to be accepted in their communities.â€
If souvenirs are for rekindling memories, then Ebola might not be forgotten with at least four children named Ebola.
Ebola survivors have also formed an association called Bundibugyo District Ebola Affected, Orphans and Widows and Survivors Association to help members overcome stigma and start self-help projects.
Meanwhile, the machine for testing Ebola and other viruses has been installed at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.