Hoima – There is heightened Health and security surveillance across border Districts following an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The outbreak was declared in Mbandaka, the capital city of Equateur Province last week, and has already claimed the lives of two people. So far, 233 contacts have been identified and are being monitored as vaccination teams have been deployed to contain the further spread of the pandemic in DR Congo, according to World Health Organisation-WHO.
The situation has put Uganda on high alert, especially in Bunyoro, where health and security surveillance has been heightened at most entry points in the region. There are standby health teams screening those crossing into the country through Lake Albert.
Health and security surveillance has been stationed at Sebigoro, Kaiso, Ndaiga, Butiaba, Bugoma, Kitebere, and Wanseko landing sites in Hoima, Kagadi, Kikuube and Buliisa districts respectively. The landing sites are the major entry points for DRC nationals into Uganda.
Handwashing facilities have been placed at all entry points and community sensitisation is ongoing by health personnel and local leaders. Members of the village health teams-VHTs have also been deployed to sensitise the communities.
Hoima District Health officer-DHO Dr Lawrence Tumusiime says that they have deployed enough health experts at major entry points along the Lake Albert shores to ensure that all measures are adhered to. They have also reinstated all the COVID-19 Response and Surveillance teams on all landing sites to screen people entering Uganda from DRC.
Hoima Resident District Commissioner-RDC Emmy Katera Turyabagenyi says that they have deployed the police, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces-UPDF and sister security agencies to carry out effective surveillance along the border.
In Buliisa, all the COVID-19 screening centres have equally been reinstated to ensure that all those crossing from DRC are promptly attended to and screened for Ebola. Buliisa District Health Officer Dr Nelson Naisye says health personnel have been deployed at Wanseko, Bugoigo and Butiaba entry points.
Kagadi District Health officer Dr James Olwo says the district has equally deployed health personnel at Ndaiga and Kitebere Landing Sites which are the major entry points for DRC nationals, while in Kikuube, the Resident District Commissioner Amlan Tumusiime says they have intensified health and security surveillance networks by deploying the Marine police and UPDF soldiers to patrol the border.
In Kanungu, Ketty Tushabomwe, the Acting District Health officer-DHO says that they have placed hand washing facilities at the border entry point of Ishasha and screening is currently conducted by health officials. Tushabomwe, however, says the district health department is financially incapacitated and cannot purchase any items that are crucial in the management of Ebola.
William Kasoro, the Ntoroko District Chairperson says that currently, the district leaders are teaming up with the health experts to sensitize the communities on how they can protect themselves from contracting the disease since there are frequent movements by both Ugandans and DRC nationals in both countries.
SOURCE: URN
