Quarantine imposed at UCI Lira following suspected Sudan Ebola case

Lira | A suspected Sudan Ebola case at Uganda Christian Institute (UCI) in Boroboro, Lira City East Division, prompted action from Lira City health authorities.

A student who arrived from the Bundibugyo district on February 4 developed symptoms consistent with the viral disease, necessitating immediate isolation and testing at Lira Regional Referral Hospital.

On February 5, Lira City Resident Commissioner (RCC) Lawrence Egole spoke to students and staff, urging calm and emphasizing the importance of preventive measures.

The RCC confirmed that the student had been isolated and transferred for further examination, stressing that while Ebola remained unconfirmed, precautionary steps were necessary.

Uganda is currently on high alert following the death of a nurse to Sudan Ebola virus last month.

Preparations and surveillance have since increased, with the Ministry of Health and partners such as the World Health Organization at the forefront.

“To the students, I instruct you to remain in your dormitories while those who shared a room with the affected student to self-isolate. Classes have been suspended, and movement beyond the school gate restricted pending test results,” said Egole.

Isaac Ayo, Principal of UCI’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, said the institution acted swiftly upon noticing the student’s symptoms, notifying health authorities, who promptly intervened.

Samples have been sent to Entebbe for confirmation. Meanwhile, the affected dormitory has been disinfected, and a school task force established to monitor the situation.

However, UCI Director Sam Omara dismissed reports of a possible Ebola case, claiming he had received no official communication from the city’s health team.

His statement contradicts recorded accounts, with several of his students confirming that health officials had removed the student for further testing.

This incident comes amid Uganda’s battle against a confirmed Ebola Sudan outbreak. The Ministry of Health declared the outbreak on January 30 after a male nurse succumbed to the virus in Kampala.

Since then, six more cases have been recorded, including two health workers, with over 200 contacts currently under institutional quarantine. Kampala, Wakiso, and Mbale have been identified as high-risk districts.

Current data reveals that 500 health workers have been vaccinated, with an additional 2,460 vaccine doses available. The government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Makerere University Lung Institute is set to roll out a three-month response plan on February 8.

Ugandan authorities continue to urge caution, advising the public to practice strict hygiene, avoid unnecessary physical contact, and report any suspected cases immediately.