Arua-Congo border officials on high alert after Ebola kills 17

What you need to know:

  • On April 26, samples from a patient who died at Arua Regional Referral Hospital after presenting signs related to the Hemorrhagic Ebola fever was declared negative by the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

  • The death of the 10 year-old boy, a Congolese had created anxiety in the health officials and the patients in the hospital. 

WEST NILE.

Health officials in West Nile have issued an alert following the outbreak of Ebola outbreak in neighboring DR Congo that has killed 17 people. 

The officials said there should be screening of those crossing from DR Congo to Uganda but the porous borders with numerous illegal entry points pose a danger to the local communities. 

The Acting Hospital Director Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Alex Adaku, said an infection, prevention and emergency response committee has been formed to handle any emergency cases. 

“It is true we are worried because a case of Ebola is not simple to manage and we need to intensify community surveillance and we are already on continuous professional education so that the staff are aware of such emerging threats,” Dr Adaku said. 

On April 26, samples from a patient who died at Arua Regional Referral Hospital after presenting signs related to the Hemorrhagic Ebola fever was declared negative by the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

The death of the 10 year-old boy, a Congolese had created anxiety in the health officials and the patients in the hospital. 

Congolese mainly depend on goods and services like health, trade in Uganda and with the Pilgrimage to Namugongo, creates a fertile ground for spreading infections if the immigration relaxes on screening at the designated border points like Vurra, Odramacaku in Arua, Goli in Nebbi, Kolokoto in Panyimur in Pakwach and Padea in Zombo districts.