PRESS STATEMENT ON RUMOURED EBOLA OUTBREAK IN
MUBENDE DISTRICT
HON. SARAH OPENDI
STATE MINISTER OF HEALTH ? GENERAL DUTIES
27th May, 2018
The Ministry of Health has noted with concern reports of an Ebola outbreak in
Mubende district making rounds across the different media platforms.
We would like to inform the public that there is no Ebola outbreak in Mubende
or any other part of the country.
What was quoted in the media is rather a case of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic
Fever (CCHF). It is worth noting that the CCHF outbreak in the districts of Luwero
and Nakaseke - which share a boarder with Mubende district - was declared on
January 4th this year, and efforts to contain it are still ongoing.
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonosis (Animal to
Human) caused by infection with a tick-borne virus. The hosts of the CCHF virus
are mostly wild and domestic animals including cattle, sheep and goats. These
animals become infected after being bitten by infected ticks and the virus
remains in their bloodstream for about two weeks after infection, allowing the
tick-animal-tick cycle to continue when another tick bites.
Human transmission may occur when human beings get into contact with
infected ticks (through tick bites) or direct contact with blood or tissues of an
infected animal. CCHF can be transmitted from one infected human to another
by contact with infectious blood or body fluids. In humans, CCHF can present
with several symptoms including sudden onset of high-grade fever, muscle
aches, neck pains, neck stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes, vomiting,
diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and sometimes bleeding from body openings.
In Uganda, the risk of acquiring and spread of CCHF is high among communities
within the cattle corridor (occupational exposure). CCHF is known to be
ENDEMIC (always present) in Africa among cattle, and OCCASIONALLY shows up
in humans.
There is no known effective vaccine or definitive treatment among humans.
General supportive care with treatment of symptoms is the main approach to
managing CCHF infected patients.
Prevention of human to human transmission is through isolation of patients, use
of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and application of universal
precautions for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) including hand-washing
hygiene, safe injection practices, in healthcare setting as well as safe and
dignified burial of deceased cases.
THE CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER (CCHF) SITUATION IN
MUBENDE DISTRICT
On the night of 21st May 2018, a 35-year-old male from Nkoko subcounty in
Bugangaizi county, Kakumiro district presented at Melt Care Clinic with a high
fever and vomiting and was admitted for two days.
Since he was not improving, the relatives transferred him to Galde medical clinic
in Kakumiro district on 23rd May from where he was referred to Mubende
Regional Referral Hospital.
The clinician on duty at Mubende RRH immediately transferred the patient to
the hospital isolation room where he received intravenous fluids.
Unfortunately, he died during that same night at around 1am. Samples were
taken off the body and were sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).
The attendants of the diseased who included his expectant wife and 4 others
were immediately quarantined and they are closely being monitored.
To mitigate any possible exposure from contact with the suspect, all material
used by the deceased, including a trolley and beddings used by the deceased
were burnt.
All the hospital staff who got in contact with the deceased were provided with
digital thermometers and were instructed to take their body temperatures on a
daily basis twice.
The following actions have been undertaken to mitigate the spread of CCHF:
A National Rapid Response Team jointly from Ministry of Health and
World Health Organization has been dispatched to Mubende with clear
terms of reference to collect more information and assist the district to
mount an appropriate response.
Sensitization programs to educate communities about the signs,
symptoms and dangers of CCHF have been initiated to raise awareness
across the cattle corridor districts
We appeal to the general public to observe the following measures:
Immediately report any cases presenting with high grade fevers and
bleeding tendencies to the nearest health facility. Reporting can be done
by sending a free-text message to 8228 OR calling the Ministry of Health
toll-free line: 0800-100-066
Bodies of people who may have died from CCHF should be handled only
by trained burial teams, who are equipped to properly bury the dead,
safely and with dignity.
Use protective wear while slaughtering and handling animals to prevent
transmission of animal diseases to humans
Always wash your hands with soap and water
The Government of Uganda is working towards the control of ticks which are
the main agents in the transmission of CCHF from animals to humans.
...
The public is advised to report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility,
or call our toll-free number 0800- 100-066
For God and my country
HON. SARAH OPENDI
STATE MINISTER OF HEALTH ? GENERAL DUTIES
27th May, 2018
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefw...SS STATEMENT - SUSPECTED EBOLA IN MUBENDE.pdf
Ministry of HealthUG 
