Cabinet meets over Ebola epidemic
Dec 08, 2007
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged all Ugandans to stop shaking hands until the Ebola pandemic is completely contained, including people in places where the disease has not been reported. Museveni said the Government was doing everything possible to contain the Ebola pandemic across the country.
By Vision team
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged all Ugandans to stop shaking hands until the Ebola pandemic is completely contained, including people in places where the disease has not been reported.
“Ebola spreads through contact. For the time being, people should resort to jambo (waving). If I don’t shake your hand, it doesn’t mean I don’t like you,†Museveni said.
Addressing Christians on Thursday night during the Kampala City of God Prayer campaign at Kololo Airstrip, the President said the Government was doing everything possible to contain the Ebola pandemic across the country.
“You have been hearing that there is an outbreak of Ebola. It started in Bundibugyo. Some people survive it, but the mortality rate is quite high. I would encourage every one to stop shaking hands,†Museveni said.
He added: “The country has already lost a few people including medics. Although we don’t think there is a problem in Kampala yet, we have to take precaution.â€
Ebola is spread through direct physical contact with a patient’s body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomit and urine, or items contaminated by such secretions. It is prevented through avoiding contact with the patients, contaminated materials, as well as disinfecting any items that come into contact with the patient.
Over 90 suspected cases have been reported, of whom at least 24 have died. The disease broke out in August but was only confirmed as ebola on November 29. Another 350 people who made contact with ebola victims are being closely monitored.
Yesterday morning, the Cabinet held a special meeting on Ebola and the Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, was due to announce decisions taken on how to deal with the emergency.
Mulago panics
At Mulago Hospital, where Dr. Jonah Kule, a medic from Bundibugyo, died of suspected Ebola on Tuesday night, some sections were paralysed yesterday as health workers feared to handle patients without appropriate protective gear. In the casualty ward, Saturday Vision saw empty glove boxes and plastic containers meant to carry disinfectants. By about 11:00am, a crowd of patients was outside the casualty ward waiting in vain to be called in, while others went home frustrated. In emergency ward 3B, some workers wore masks, white gumboots and gloves, while others did not. Meanwhile, in the out-patient department in Old Mulago, work was going on normally except for the low turn up of patients compared to other days. The hospital director could not be reached for comment as he was in marathon meetings.
How Dr. Kule died
According to a diary written by Dr. Kule’s mentor, Dr. Scott Myhre, the medic contracted ebola after treating his friend without gloves, days before the epidemic was confirmed. A patient was dying and there were no gloves at the hospital.
On Sunday, November 25, Jonah travelled to Kampala. On Wednesday November 28, he began to notice a headache and suspected malaria. The following day ebola was confirmed in Bundibugyo as Dr. Kule’s became more ill. He picked up his oldest daughter, Masika, from a boarding school in Kampala. He then took a malaria test at a private clinic, before a doctor friend encouraged him to be admitted at Mulago, where he was put in an isolation tent.
His family would see him through a tent window. The Mulago doctor assigned to his care supposedly fled, but MSF Spain doctors checked him a couple of times a day. His young brother sometimes entered the tent to care for him when no nurse or other medical person was available. He was alone much of the time.
Quarantine calls
The Uganda Medical Workers’ Union asked the Government to put in place quarantine measures to stop further spread of the deadly Ebola. Addressing a press conference at Christ the King hall yesterday, the union wondered why victims from the Ebola stricken districts were still moving freely to other districts in the country.
“In Rwanda, there is a checkpoint. But here, people are just moving anyhow, without being stopped. And you think we are safe?†asked Mary Irene Kabole, the vice-chairperson, of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU).
Referring to the fallen Dr. Jonah Kule, Nassuna added: “He (Kule) travelled to Kampala to pick his children from school, went to his brother in Kyebando, to a clinic in Kamyokya, another clinic in Wandegeya, before jumping on a bodaboda to rush to Mulago Hospital. Don’t you see the risk of all these people he interacted with?â€
“This is negligence. The outbreak in 2000 should have acted as an eye opener. Someone should have a policy to make sure that all health workers have protective gear,†she said.
Kabarole
Two more suspected Ebola patients have been identified and admitted to the isolation centre in Kichwamba 10km from Fort-Portal town. The two were first admitted to Kabarole Hospital before they were transferred to the isolation centre. This brings to four, the number of patients who reported to hospitals in Kabarole with signs associated with Ebola. The first, a 13-year-old boy, has died and the second, a woman, fled the hospital.
Doctors in Fort-Portal said yesterday that panic-stricken people had been calling from different parts of Kabarole district to report suspected cases. Some of them turn out to be false alarms. By 9:00am yesterday, the doctors and the District health team were going for a meeting to chart out how to trace the SOS calls and pick the suspected patients.
Hotels and bars in Fort-Portal Municipality have reported a decline in business as the Ebola scare escalates. George Kaahwa, proprietor of Hotel Cornerstone, said people who made bookings for Christmas months in advance, have cancelled.
Kanungu
Another suspected case has been reported in Kanyantorobo Sub-County. The 20-year old man exhibited signs of the Ebola and was admitted to Kihihi health centre IV on Tuesday.
Kanungu District Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen Sebudde said that a blood sample was got from the man for testing. “We cannot rule out Ebola until the tests say otherwise. We have put him in isolated ward and we take precautions to ensure the disease does not spread if it is Ebola.â€
According to the Kanungu Chief Administrative Officer, Moses Kanyarutokye, the patient, is a casual labourer in Kanyatorogo. Sebudde said a team of doctors from Kambuga hospital had gone to Kihihi to help out.
Bundibugyo
In Bundibugyo, the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Richard Ssessanga was reported to be improving but that he was still very weak. Ssessanga’s colleague, Dr. Jonah Kule and four other health workers have died of Ebola. Four other health workers there who were admitted with Ebola were said to be in a critical condition yesterday.
Kasese
One man was admitted to hospital and movement of a number of others was restricted for monitoring. A mass wedding scheduled for December 7, has been suspended.
The Kamaiba church pastor asked the more than 20 intending couples to be patient until the Ebola threat blows over. A Catholic priest on the Kasese Ebola Task Force, Fr. Kasenyankwe, announced that the church would restrict the people attending weddings to five. He said big parties will not be allowed.
The Task Force has also banned night prayers and crusades by born again churches as well as any public gatherings, including discotheques and video hall gatherings. A piece of land in Bwera has been identified for burial of any Ebola victims in Kasese.
Bushenyi
Bushenyi woman MP, Mary Karooro Okurut has appealed to residents there to restrict their movements in order to minimise chances of contracting Ebola. “Since we are approaching Christmas , people should travel when it is absolutely necessary.†She advised that those with relatives in Kasese and Bundibugyo should suspend visits there.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed fear that teachers exported to Bundibugyo district might carry the disease back home when schools break off for holiday. A big number of teachers from Bushenyi are working in Bundibugyo.
Mbale
Fear has gripped the town and neighbouring districts after Sironko district information officer, Olive Mukiite died of an ebola-like illness. Mukiite, who was expectant, died at Mbale regional referral hospital on Thursday afternoon. A week earlier she had returned from Kabale and Kisoro, where Sironko district officials and political leaders had gone on a study tour.
The hospital superintendent, Dr. Vincent Ojome, said the actual cause of the death had not been established. “Samples taken from her are yet to be taken to Kampala for analysis. It will only be on Saturday that the actual cause of the death would be established,†Ojome said. The nurse who attended to her has been confined.
By Anne Mugisa, Flavia Nakagwa, Carol Natukunda, Bizimungu Kisakye, Chris Ahimbisibwe, Chris Ocowun, Nathan Etengu and Colombus Tusiime/b>
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged all Ugandans to stop shaking hands until the Ebola pandemic is completely contained, including people in places where the disease has not been reported.
“Ebola spreads through contact. For the time being, people should resort to jambo (waving). If I don’t shake your hand, it doesn’t mean I don’t like you,†Museveni said.
Addressing Christians on Thursday night during the Kampala City of God Prayer campaign at Kololo Airstrip, the President said the Government was doing everything possible to contain the Ebola pandemic across the country.
“You have been hearing that there is an outbreak of Ebola. It started in Bundibugyo. Some people survive it, but the mortality rate is quite high. I would encourage every one to stop shaking hands,†Museveni said.
He added: “The country has already lost a few people including medics. Although we don’t think there is a problem in Kampala yet, we have to take precaution.â€
Ebola is spread through direct physical contact with a patient’s body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomit and urine, or items contaminated by such secretions. It is prevented through avoiding contact with the patients, contaminated materials, as well as disinfecting any items that come into contact with the patient.
Over 90 suspected cases have been reported, of whom at least 24 have died. The disease broke out in August but was only confirmed as ebola on November 29. Another 350 people who made contact with ebola victims are being closely monitored.
Yesterday morning, the Cabinet held a special meeting on Ebola and the Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, was due to announce decisions taken on how to deal with the emergency.
Mulago panics
At Mulago Hospital, where Dr. Jonah Kule, a medic from Bundibugyo, died of suspected Ebola on Tuesday night, some sections were paralysed yesterday as health workers feared to handle patients without appropriate protective gear. In the casualty ward, Saturday Vision saw empty glove boxes and plastic containers meant to carry disinfectants. By about 11:00am, a crowd of patients was outside the casualty ward waiting in vain to be called in, while others went home frustrated. In emergency ward 3B, some workers wore masks, white gumboots and gloves, while others did not. Meanwhile, in the out-patient department in Old Mulago, work was going on normally except for the low turn up of patients compared to other days. The hospital director could not be reached for comment as he was in marathon meetings.
How Dr. Kule died
According to a diary written by Dr. Kule’s mentor, Dr. Scott Myhre, the medic contracted ebola after treating his friend without gloves, days before the epidemic was confirmed. A patient was dying and there were no gloves at the hospital.
On Sunday, November 25, Jonah travelled to Kampala. On Wednesday November 28, he began to notice a headache and suspected malaria. The following day ebola was confirmed in Bundibugyo as Dr. Kule’s became more ill. He picked up his oldest daughter, Masika, from a boarding school in Kampala. He then took a malaria test at a private clinic, before a doctor friend encouraged him to be admitted at Mulago, where he was put in an isolation tent.
His family would see him through a tent window. The Mulago doctor assigned to his care supposedly fled, but MSF Spain doctors checked him a couple of times a day. His young brother sometimes entered the tent to care for him when no nurse or other medical person was available. He was alone much of the time.
Quarantine calls
The Uganda Medical Workers’ Union asked the Government to put in place quarantine measures to stop further spread of the deadly Ebola. Addressing a press conference at Christ the King hall yesterday, the union wondered why victims from the Ebola stricken districts were still moving freely to other districts in the country.
“In Rwanda, there is a checkpoint. But here, people are just moving anyhow, without being stopped. And you think we are safe?†asked Mary Irene Kabole, the vice-chairperson, of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU).
Referring to the fallen Dr. Jonah Kule, Nassuna added: “He (Kule) travelled to Kampala to pick his children from school, went to his brother in Kyebando, to a clinic in Kamyokya, another clinic in Wandegeya, before jumping on a bodaboda to rush to Mulago Hospital. Don’t you see the risk of all these people he interacted with?â€
“This is negligence. The outbreak in 2000 should have acted as an eye opener. Someone should have a policy to make sure that all health workers have protective gear,†she said.
Kabarole
Two more suspected Ebola patients have been identified and admitted to the isolation centre in Kichwamba 10km from Fort-Portal town. The two were first admitted to Kabarole Hospital before they were transferred to the isolation centre. This brings to four, the number of patients who reported to hospitals in Kabarole with signs associated with Ebola. The first, a 13-year-old boy, has died and the second, a woman, fled the hospital.
Doctors in Fort-Portal said yesterday that panic-stricken people had been calling from different parts of Kabarole district to report suspected cases. Some of them turn out to be false alarms. By 9:00am yesterday, the doctors and the District health team were going for a meeting to chart out how to trace the SOS calls and pick the suspected patients.
Hotels and bars in Fort-Portal Municipality have reported a decline in business as the Ebola scare escalates. George Kaahwa, proprietor of Hotel Cornerstone, said people who made bookings for Christmas months in advance, have cancelled.
Kanungu
Another suspected case has been reported in Kanyantorobo Sub-County. The 20-year old man exhibited signs of the Ebola and was admitted to Kihihi health centre IV on Tuesday.
Kanungu District Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen Sebudde said that a blood sample was got from the man for testing. “We cannot rule out Ebola until the tests say otherwise. We have put him in isolated ward and we take precautions to ensure the disease does not spread if it is Ebola.â€
According to the Kanungu Chief Administrative Officer, Moses Kanyarutokye, the patient, is a casual labourer in Kanyatorogo. Sebudde said a team of doctors from Kambuga hospital had gone to Kihihi to help out.
Bundibugyo
In Bundibugyo, the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Richard Ssessanga was reported to be improving but that he was still very weak. Ssessanga’s colleague, Dr. Jonah Kule and four other health workers have died of Ebola. Four other health workers there who were admitted with Ebola were said to be in a critical condition yesterday.
Kasese
One man was admitted to hospital and movement of a number of others was restricted for monitoring. A mass wedding scheduled for December 7, has been suspended.
The Kamaiba church pastor asked the more than 20 intending couples to be patient until the Ebola threat blows over. A Catholic priest on the Kasese Ebola Task Force, Fr. Kasenyankwe, announced that the church would restrict the people attending weddings to five. He said big parties will not be allowed.
The Task Force has also banned night prayers and crusades by born again churches as well as any public gatherings, including discotheques and video hall gatherings. A piece of land in Bwera has been identified for burial of any Ebola victims in Kasese.
Bushenyi
Bushenyi woman MP, Mary Karooro Okurut has appealed to residents there to restrict their movements in order to minimise chances of contracting Ebola. “Since we are approaching Christmas , people should travel when it is absolutely necessary.†She advised that those with relatives in Kasese and Bundibugyo should suspend visits there.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed fear that teachers exported to Bundibugyo district might carry the disease back home when schools break off for holiday. A big number of teachers from Bushenyi are working in Bundibugyo.
Mbale
Fear has gripped the town and neighbouring districts after Sironko district information officer, Olive Mukiite died of an ebola-like illness. Mukiite, who was expectant, died at Mbale regional referral hospital on Thursday afternoon. A week earlier she had returned from Kabale and Kisoro, where Sironko district officials and political leaders had gone on a study tour.
The hospital superintendent, Dr. Vincent Ojome, said the actual cause of the death had not been established. “Samples taken from her are yet to be taken to Kampala for analysis. It will only be on Saturday that the actual cause of the death would be established,†Ojome said. The nurse who attended to her has been confined.
By Anne Mugisa, Flavia Nakagwa, Carol Natukunda, Bizimungu Kisakye, Chris Ahimbisibwe, Chris Ocowun, Nathan Etengu and Colombus Tusiime/b>