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The Ugandan President announced on Saturday October 15 the establishment of a containment for two districts to limit the spread of the Ebola virus in the regions most affected by the epidemic.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday ordered the lockdown of two districts at the epicenter of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, with travel bans, curfews and the closure of markets, bars and churches for 21 days.
« Last time, I told you regarding some difficult people, who lie, who embezzle dead bodies, and who move from district to district, including Kampala. These moves and deceptions have not changed, and the risk of spreading Ebola to other parts of the country remains very high. Ebola is highly contagious and deadly, and can be caught by any of the methods discussed. The virus strongly affects the economy and the tourism sector. If not controlled properly, it might spread beyond Uganda. Ebola cases continued to increase in communities in Mubende and Kassanda districts. In view of the seriousness of the problem, to prevent further spread, and to protect lives and livelihoods, the government, following careful study, is taking further measures and all these measures take effect immediately and will last for 21 days. “said the Head of State.
According to the Ministry of Health, hemorrhagic fever has killed 19 people and 58 cases have been confirmed in the country since the first case was reported on September 20.
Authorities say cases are concentrated in the central districts of Mubende and Kassanda and the outbreak has not reached Kampala, the capital of 1.5million, despite a couple testing positive for the virus in the capital.
Yoweri Museveni had already ordered traditional healers to stop caring for the sickin an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, and for the police to arrest anyone suspected of having contracted Ebola who refuses to be placed in solitary confinement.
Human transmission is through body fluids, with the main symptoms being fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhoea. Infected people only become contagious following the onset of symptoms, following an incubation period ranging from 2 to 21 days.
