Hon. Minister Dr, Aceng addressing stakeholders in Mubende
By Edward Akaki
The Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has revealed that the spread of the Ebola outbreak could have been dealt with quicker had Village Health Teams (VHTs) been more vigilant and reported to the ministry earlier.
Aceng made this remarks while meeting with different stakeholders on 25 September, 2022 in Mubende district in the preparations, awareness and status report about the overall situation of Ebola in the country.
”Eight people died in the community, why did the VHTs not tell us?, when we lose two weeks it is a little too many because the contacts are many unyet we need to pick them early so next time please be on your toes, any death in the community report even if you think it is Malaria”, said Aceng.
Ebola show signs and symptoms of sudden onset fever, headache, muscle pain, intense body weakness, bleeding from openings, sore throat, vomiting and bloody diarrhea or urine.
Courtesy image: Signs and symptoms of Ebola
She said that COVID19 made people poor and urged people to join the fight to avoid a repeat of the same scenario dispelling wrong thinking that there will be lockdown restrictions in place.
According to her, there will be no restrictions in movements, also, shops, schools, markets will remain open and the day to day business will run smoothly uninterrupted.
However, she insisted that cooperation is key in the fight against Ebola urging the public to always report any signs and symptoms of the disease detected on anyone or within ones self as the chances are higher to be saved from the disease if it is reported earlier.
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated.
EVD first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, one in what is now Nzara, South Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, DRC. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.
In Uganda, the first ever outbreak of Ebola disease was reported from Gulu district, on 8 October 2000. The outbreak was characterized by fever and haemorrhagic manifestations, and affected health workers and the general population of Rwot-Obillo, a village 14 km north of Gulu town.
Courtesy image: Prevention of Ebola
The public is now urged to desist from handshakes and body contacts since EVD is majorly transmitted through the body fluids such as saliva, faeces, vomit, urine, and sweat.
