KAMPALA – As Ugandans continue to prepare for the Christmas festivities, the health ministry has issue a strong warning to the citizens to take caution and beware that the deadly Ebola virus continues to ravage parts of DRC putting Uganda at high risk of Ebola.
In a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization, Ugandans have been advised to take keen some of the health precautions to mitigate the spread especially in the days when a number of people from different walks of life will be converging in different areas of this country for Christmas.
The statement asserts that at least 55 new Ebola cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo since December 1st 2019.
Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr. Ruth Aceng, says it is very important for the citizens to take extra caution during this festive season as they celebrate the birth of Jesus with their relatives so that they don’t contract the scourge.
The Ebola virus has ravaged the DRC from August 2018 and 3,348 people have so far been infected and 2213 have since died.
In a statement signed by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Dr Yonus Teggen Woldermariam the WHO representative in Uganda, Ugandans are advised to avoid contact with people who possess Ebola like symptoms and to report any case of a person suspected to be an Ebola patient.
The statement also tasks religious leaders to use their pulpits to advise Ugandans or offer some space to qualified personnel to offer any Ebola related message during their homily schedules during Christmas.
More than 2000 Congolese are estimated to be entering Uganda on market days via different boarder points. Dr. Aceng says that with such numbers, it’s very important that people take precautionary measures.
