KASESE – Three patients have escaped from an Isolation centre in Kanungu where they had been admitted for close monitoring due to their Ebola-like symptoms.
The sickly trio was experiencing high body temperatures, one of the signs of the hemorrhagic fever. This compelled the Ebola surveillance officials to rush them to Kihihi Health Centre IV for close medical attention.
These have been identified as Saddi Muhima, 46, his son Issa Muhima 19, and Milton Nsenga, all citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the Kanungu Health Inspector, Kato Besisira, the patients escaped as the health workers were preparing to draw blood samples from them, the medics were intending to send the patients to Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Entebbe for examination.
These escapees are suspected to have crossed back to DRC via porous borders. Besisira adds that their escape has triggered panic within the district.
Meanwhile, according to Emmanuel Ainebyona – a Health Ministry spokesperson, the government has banned public gatherings in Kasese District following an outbreak of Ebola in the area.
On Tuesday 11 June, the Health Ministry announced an Ebola alert after a five-year-old boy from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tested positive for Ebola shortly after crossing into Kasese District.
However, the child died a few hours later. His grandmother also passed on later in the day at Ebola Treatment Unit in Bwera Hospital in Mpondwe – Lubiriha Town Council.
