Ebola outbreak: Uganda imposed lockdown in these two districts

There have been 19 deaths and 58 confirmed cases of the often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever since the first outbreak on 20 September, the health ministry reported, according to AFP news agency.

Officials said the Ebola outbreak is concentrated in the central districts of Mubende and Kasanda, and has not reached Kampala, the capital of 1.5 million, despite a husband and wife testing positive.

In a televised address on Saturday, Mubende and Kasanda ordered an immediate lockdown, imposing an evening-to-morning curfew, banning travel and closing markets, bars and churches, AFP reported. Closed for 21 days.

“I now give instructions as follows: There is no more movement in and out of the Mubende and Kasanda districts,” said guerrilla leader-turned-president Museveni.

“If you are in Mubende and Kasanda districts, stay there for 21 days,” he said.

He said cargo trucks would still be allowed to enter and leave the two areas, but all other transport had been suspended.

Museveni had already ordered traditional healers to stop treating sick people to prevent the spread of Ebola, and ordered police to arrest anyone suspected of contracting the virus who had been in isolation. had refused to leave.

Ebola is spread through bodily fluids, with common symptoms being fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhea, AFP reports.

Outbreaks are difficult to control, especially in urban environments. Uganda’s last recorded fatality Ebola outbreak was in 2019.

The particular strain now circulating in Uganda is known as the Sudan Ebola virus, for which there is currently no vaccine.

The World Health Organization said that clinical trials could begin within weeks on drugs to combat this strain.

(with AFP input)