The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine, has temporarily closed it’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to the continued escalation in the scale of the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring country.
“Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect. The only Exceptions are for authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security under strict health screening and monitoring protocols” she said.
Dr Atwine said the decision was reached by the National Task Force on Ebola Response chaired by Vice President, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo on Wednesday, after examining the challenges associated with cross-border movements between the two countries, which could lead to a higher risk of the spread of Ebola into Uganda.
“The Immigration Authority is directed to permit only authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and essential security personnel moving to and from Uganda from the DRC” she said.
Dr Atwine, who made the remarks while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, said Uganda has not recorded any new confirmed case of EVD since Monday, with the total number of contacts to the confirmed cases increasing, most of whom are health workers.
“The total number of cases stand at seven with one death” she said.
Dr Atwine noted that all authorized entrants shall be subjected to strict health screening, completion of locator forms, documentation, and continuous monitoring at all ports of entry in accordance with Ministry of Health surveillance protocols.
“Any person returning from the DRC into Uganda shall undergo mandatory self-isolation for 21 days under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and district surveillance teams” she said.
She further noted that all schools in the border districts shall remain open, while strictly observing all health ministry Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“School authorities are directed to identify all students who have recently returned from DRC and ensure that their temperature is monitored and recorded daily for 21 days. Districts along the Uganda-DRC border shall designate at least one health facility to accommodate and monitor any learner who develops symptoms such as fever during the observation period, pending further assessment” she said.
Dr Atwine further instructed all RDCs to strictly ensure implementation and enforcement of all Ebola prevention and control guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and NTF.
“All media houses are required to dedicate at least thirty (30) minutes of prime-time programming daily to public education and sensitization on Ebola prevention, detection, and reporting” she said.
