This week, healthnews.ng reported the spread of the Ebola virus disease to Uganda. The index patient, a 5-year-old child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who travelled with his family on 9th June 2019, is dead, so is his grandmother.
Confirming the development, Ainebyoona Emmanuel, Senior Public Relations Officer for the Health Ministry said the boy died on Tuesday night and was buried on Wednesday while the grandma was buried on June 12.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost the grandma to the first confirmed case of Ebola, the five year old boy. The boy died on Tuesday night and was buried on Wednesday. The grandma was among those in the ETU at Bwera Hospital,” Emmanuel said.
Since the index case was confirmed, the government of Uganda has been receiving assistance from international donors and organisations including UNICEF which announced the provision of over 5500 handwashing facilities to critical areas such as hospitals, schools and border entry points in 17 districts across Western Uganda. These are aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola.
“5000 District officials have been oriented on key messages for Ebola detection, prevention & reporting. District leaders are instrumental in coordinating activities to at risk communities,” UNICEF said in a statement.
The European Union (EU) also announced further emergency funding of €3.5 million, of which €2.5 million is for Uganda and €1 million for South Sudan.
“The aid package will strengthen rapid detection and reaction to Ebola cases. Today’s funding comes on top of the €17 million in EU funding for Ebola response since 2018 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and prevention and preparedness actions in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi,” EU said in a statement.
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis management and EU Ebola coordinator said: “We are doing all we can to save lives and stop further Ebola cases. Today, our main task is not only to help the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also assist neighbouring countries like Uganda. Here, our funding is helping with surveillance, work with local communities, and boosting local capacities for these countries to take timely and effective action. We are committed to continue our assistance to bring this outbreak to an end, for as long as it takes.”