The Hoima District Ebola Taskforce suspended the operation of open markets, cinemas, and video halls on May 29, as directed by the National Ebola Taskforce.
The suspended markets include Siba in Kiganja sub-county, the Kigorobya sub-county market, and the Buseruka Livestock markets, as they are located within the shorelines of Lake Albert, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the East, where the Ebola strain is spreading at an alarming rate in the Ituri Province.
The taskforce meeting, chaired by Resident District Commissioner, Mbabazi Rogers and composed of health workers, directed the immediate suspension of all public gathering points, including open markets, cinema and disco halls.
The meeting also directed schools to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs), which include screening, handwashing, and enforcement of safety rules with support from local health facilities.
Mbabazi said they are looking forward to strengthening security along the border points of Lake Albert to control illegal immigration from DRC into the district through the district landing sites.
The Hoima Acting District Health Officer, Dr Lawrance Tumusiime, says Hoima is at a higher risk because of uncontrolled cross-border movements between Uganda and the DR Congo.
He has urged local clinics and drug shops to take higher precautionary measures to guard against the spread of the epidemic.
Dr Isaiah Musinguzi, an epidemic specialist for the Western Region deployed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), says that Uganda has eight active cases with one confirmed death.
“There are 573 confirmed contacts, where only 71 cases have been successfully quarantined. About 30 of the contacts have been reported from Kikuube district.
This, according to Dr Musinguzi, puts Kikuube, Hoima and other neighbouring districts at a higher risk if control and prevention measures are not taken.
Hoima district does not have positive Ebola cases despite the suspension.
About two weeks ago, the district had only three Ebola suspects who later tested negative.
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