KAMPALA — Uganda has started screening of all travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of signs and symptoms of Coronavirus, following the outbreak of the deadly disease in the neighbouring country.
DR Congo on Tuesday March 10, confirmed its first case of coronavirus, bringing the number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa hit by the epidemic to seven.
“As a ministry, we are now more concerned and we will reinstate our measures at all border points and ensure they are strengthened” said Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Health – Primary Health Care.
The Minister was responding to Rukungiri MP, Hon. Ronald Mugume who raised the issue on the Floor as a matter of national importance during the 24th plenary on Wednesday 11.
The minister also refuted claims that even Tanzania has also been hit by the deadly virus saying that the East African community has not confirmed it— calling for calm.
The Health minister also advised Ugandans to always wait for communication from the ministry instead of rumours as government is more than prepared to defeat it.
Uganda has intensified measures to prevent the virus from entering its borders.
The outbreak has largely spared sub-Saharan Africa so far, but since February a few cases have been registered in Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon, Togo and Burkina Faso. North African countries have registered dozens of cases.
Congo’s first coronavirus case comes as its long-running Ebola epidemic appears to be on the wane.
The last patient being treated for Ebola was discharged on March 3 – the first time there have been no active cases since the outbreak was declared in August 2018.
