“Ebola is now everywhere”: Adjumani taskforce calls for vigilance

The Ebola district taskforce in Adjumani has urged the public to remain vigilant and strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to avoid Ebola infection.

Speaking during the district task force meeting, the Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani, Toko Swaib, said the government and the Ministry of Health are continuing with efforts to contain the outbreak.

“We have continued to receive threat of Ebola and the ministry is doing everything possible to contain it. We have received instructions about the public gatherings. Dear task force committee, let’s do our part,” Toko said.

He added that initially the arrangements focused on districts bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo but noted that the threat has now spread across the country.

“Initially, the arrangement started with the border districts especially those bordering DRC Congo. But it’s now every where and the task force is supposed to be formed,” he added.

The District Surveillance Focal Person, Olanya Paul, revealed that Uganda continues to receive periodic outbreak reports with new cases already confirmed among health workers.

“Periodically, we get special reports for the outbreaks. The last special report was on Tuesday May 26. Two new cases were reported, and the two were Ugandan health workers who attended to a DRC national,” Olanya added.

The first person who died was attended by these health workers. “We will see surely in the report the dsurely seegoing to hit mothat st health workers,” Olanya predicted.

He further said the outbreak is no longer limited to imported infections.

Meanwhile, Acen Caroline, working with the Office of the Prime Minister, said measures have already been strengthened at the refugee reception centers to reduce over crowding.

“We operationalised our settlement task force meeting on Friday at the reception center. So, these were the key points from our last meeting from the reception center.”

Shatted that crowd centrel remains a major concern especially during food distribution and registration of refugees.

“…we noted that there were crowd control issues at the reception center…we also had an action to see how the team can walk around,” she added.

The District Police Commander of Adjumani, Masembe Harbert, called for engagement with religious institutions even before any government directive on public gatherings is issued.

“The government has not pronounced itself on public gathering. For example, church gathers a lot of people and even mosques for prayers. Before that position is taken, we need to engage them.”

Representing the LC5 chairperson, the secretary for social works, Mali Kenndy, emphasised that the fight against Ebola requires collective effort from all stakeholders and implementing partners.

“It’s a fight for all of us. As a district, we cannot handle but when we you chip in as implementing pars and all the stakeholders, we shall be in position to do the needful.”

Ta he task force members concluded their meeting by calling upon communities to remain alert, avoid unnecessary contact, observe hygiene measures, report suspected cases early, and cooperate with health authorities as the district intensifies efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola.