KAMPALA – Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health on Sunday 16 held a meeting with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General World Health Organisation at Protea Hotel in Entebbe to discuss the current Ebola outbreak in Uganda and DRC.
In the meeting, the ministry revealed that currently there are no Ebola cases at the treatment unit, however, there are two suspected cases in Bwera.
“As of today 16th June 2019, no positive case at the Ebola Treatment Unit, but two suspected cases under isolation in Bwera. Ministry of Health teams are following up and monitoring about 96 contacts. The contacts are currently being vaccinated. Thanks to World Health Organisation Uganda.”
The minister also appealed the public to stop circulating fake news about the killer disease.
“I have seen and read with dismay the several wrong messages circulating on social media and other media platforms about the current Ebola outbreak,” said Ms. Aceng.
“I appeal to you all please desist from spreading false rumours about Ebola on Social Media and other media platforms. Ebola is not something to joke with, it kills. Your irresponsible reporting can cause unnecessary panic among the population and greatly affect our response,” she added.
Ms. Aceng asked the public to use the office of the Director-General and the Minister for Health to keep updated with the accurate news regarding Ebola and other cases.
“Ministry of Health has spokespersons, the Director-General and the Minister for Health who keep the population informed on a very regular basis and I believe we are doing it very well. We do so after getting results of blood samples.”
“Please follow the example of our numerous partners who have access to information but leave the reporting to the Ministry of Health. Even the District Health Officer Kasese who has information knows the people with Authority to report,” she urged.
On Saturday 15, the Ministry began an exercise of vaccinating residents against the killer disease.
They announced that “Ring vaccination against Ebola Virus Disease has started in Kasese District. Contacts to the confirmed Ebola cases who came from DRC and non-vaccinated frontline health and other workers will be vaccinated, announced the ministry revealing that “Vaccines have been provided by WHO and Ministry of Health DRC.”
