DR Congo trader succumbs to Ebola after Uganda visit
Jul 17, 2019
The health ministry response team is identifying and following up all people who came into contact with the trader with the collaboration of colleagues in DR Congo.
A DR Congo national who visited Uganda to trade in fish last week before returning home has died of Ebola.
According to a joint press release, the health ministry and WHO surveillance teams established that on July 11, a trader with symptoms consistent with Ebola had been in Uganda to buy fish at Mpondwe market. She was well-known and a regular trader at the market.
"The surveillance teams established that she had four episodes of vomiting on the day she was in the country," reads the statement.
On July 12, she travelled back to Beni and was admitted in the Beni Ebola Treatment Unit on July 13. She died on July 15 after testing positive for Ebola.
Nevertheless, the statement confirms at present there is no confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case in Kasese district or any other part of Uganda.
However, the health ministry response team is identifying and following up all people who came into contact with the trader with the collaboration of colleagues in DR Congo.
As part of the response activities, the ministry with support from WHO, will immediately vaccinate all people who came into contact with the deceased trader in order to control possible spread of the disease in the country. The ministry has also intensified surveillance and community engagement activities throughout the district.
"The health ministry and WHO appeal to all Ugandans to remain vigilant and alert. Avoid handshaking, hugging, mass gatherings and observe infection, prevention and control practices such as washing hands with soap and clean water at all times both at health facilities and communities," reads the statement.
The ministry further affirms that all places of economic and social interaction in Uganda such as national parks and tourist sites are open and accessible to the public.
"People are free to visit any place of interest in Uganda," reads the statement.
Uganda which has been on high alert for Ebola following an outbreak in DR Congo registered a case of the disease on June 11 in Kasese district, after five-year-old Allan Bwambale who was returning to Uganda from DR Congo through Bwera border post-tested positive of Ebola and died shortly after.