DRC Ebola Outbreak: Suspected Ebola case reported in Western Uganda
Updated 21:47, 22-Aug-2018
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02:03
Health workers in a western district of Uganda are monitoring a suspected case of Ebola. Doctors say the patient exhibited symptoms similar to that of the disease -- and they are waiting for laboratory results to confirm his status. CGTN's Hillary Ayesiga reports from Uganda's border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Taking precautionary measures.
Health workers put on protective gear to check on the patient.
Access is limited to only health workers.
CHRISTOPHER KIYITA DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICER, BUNDIBUGYO, UGANDA "He is in the isolation unit, until when we get final results from Uganda virus research institute then we can transfer the patient, at the moment he's the only one there."
A few kilometers from here, an intense screening exercise at Busuanga entry point.
JOSEPH KASUMBA HEALTH WORKER "We look at somebody with temperature over 38 degrees Celsius and also look at other symptoms like headache, muscle pain, joint pain. So for us we categorize that one as an alert."
HILLARY AYESIGA BUNDIBUGYO, UGANDA "Everyday hundreds of people cross this point for trading purposes, or to see family members on the other side of the border. But with the heightened alert of Ebola on the DR Congo side, health officials here are taking necessary precautions to contain the spread of the disease."
It's about 100 kilometers from here to Beni in the DRC where there is an Ebola outbreak.
Local authorities in the DRC have confirmed 41 deaths with 57 probable cases.
Health workers here believe continous screening exercises like this one could help contain the disease.
HILLARY AYESIGA, CGTN.