Ebola Outbreak Under Control, Declares President Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni announced on Wednesday night that Uganda has recorded no new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases for five consecutive days, a development he characterized as a clear indication that the outbreak is nearing its end.

During a televised address, the President remarked that the few infections that occurred were largely due to negligence, emphasizing that Ebola is more manageable than COVID-19. He attributed the initial cases to individuals from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo who were not handled with adequate caution upon arrival in Uganda. “The story is clear. Some sick people from Congo came. They were not handled properly, carefully here. That’s all,” President Museveni stated.

According to Ministry of Health figures, Uganda has recorded a total of 19 confirmed cases, resulting in two deaths. Of these, 14 were imported cases, while five were Ugandan nationals. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, reported that five patients, including four Congolese nationals and one Ugandan, have recovered following treatment. Currently, 12 individuals remain under care, receiving supportive treatment as there are no approved drugs for the specific strain, Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease.

The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, highlighted that health workers were disproportionately affected, with four nurses and a driver contracting the virus in Kampala. He explained that the health workers had inadvertently come into high-risk contact with a patient before his Ebola diagnosis. Approximately 100 health workers have been placed under quarantine due to potential exposure.

President Museveni urged vigilance, advising against practices such as washing bodies, especially those with suspected Ebola symptoms, and stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for any signs of the disease. He also cautioned religious leaders and the general public against physical contact with the sick, advocating for alternative ways to offer comfort and support. Measures such as border closures, restrictions on gatherings, and enhanced surveillance remain in place to prevent further spread.

“So, therefore, please, we have a lot of work to do. Let’s be very serious. We don’t have to keep playing around. Listen carefully and act. This is easy to stop. We stopped it in the past. We cannot stop it now,” the President urged.

This information was reported by the Daily Monitor.