Uganda Capital, Kampala is currently in panic following confirmation that a woman who died at Mulago hospital a few days ago was suffering from Ebola.
The woman had travelled from Kibale district where 14 people died from Ebola on Saturday. she was a health worker who had been handling the Ebola patients.
The Government of Uganda has immidiately banned any physical contact among citizens.
Schools in Uganda are reportedly closing in response to the Ebola news that has caused panic.
Clare Muhumuza 40, was admited at uganda’s largest hospital Mulago and died within a few hours. She was the clinical officer treating the patients at Kagadi Hospital.
“She came to Mulago very sick and by morning she was dead. She suffered multiple organ failure,” said a senior doctor in Mulago.
Foruteen Ugandans had been reported dead on Saturday when the deadly viral disease was reported in Kibale located 200km west of the Ugandan capital.
Mulago health workers admited they were in fear saying they had handled Muhumuza without protection in ignorance.
Currently Suzan Nabulya, a sister to the late Muhumuza, who was tending to her before she died, has been admitted at Kagadi Hospital while Muhumuza’s four month old baby, Milca Ninsima, has died.
Uganda and Rwanda are experiencing increased crossboarder inteructions on a daily basis through business and other forms of engagements.
Understanding Ebola
Cause: Ebola is caused by a virus belonging to a family called filovirus. There are five distinct types of the virus namely Ebola Zaire, Ebola Sudan, Ebola Côte d’Ivoire, Ebola Bundibugyo and Ebola Reston.
Transmission: The disease is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, fluids or bodies of infected persons.
Family members and health workers handling the patients can become infected easily if they do not wear protective facilities such as gloves and masks. Ebola is not air borne.
Symptoms: The average incubation period is 21 days. The disease is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
Treatment: No specific treatment or vaccine is yet available for Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
There is neither a cure nor a vaccine for Ebola. The patients are given symptomatic treatment to reduce pain and prevent dehydration.
Several potential vaccines and drugs are being tested but it could take years before any is available.
How to protect yourself
Isolate suspected cases from other patients
Wear gloves, goggles and masks while handling patients
Patients’ clothing should be disinfected with household bleach such as JIK
Areas contaminated with patient’s fluids should be disinfected with household bleach such as JIK
Avoid touching the bodies of those who have died of Ebola
People who have died from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried
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