[June 03, 2011] How Uganda Registered Ebola Success Tweet Jun 03, 2011 (The Observer/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- On May 27 in Bombo, as outgoing minister of Health, Stephen Malinga, announced that the 25 people who had gotten in contact with the girl that died from Ebola were Ebola free, he also told the story of how the outbreak was contained. Dr Joseph Okware, Luwero's district health officer, says that on May 1, Kate Nakiguli, the lone victim of this year's Ebola outbreak fell ill and her grandmother tried to treat her using modest means. She took her to a clinic and after three days of treatment without any signs of improvement, the deceased was referred to another clinic in Wobulenzi. However, her caretakers instead took her to Bombo Military Hospital. Okware describes this as "good luck" because if the deceased had been taken to the clinic in Wobulenzi, a bigger number of people could have gotten infected. But because the manpower at Bombo Military Hospital was experienced in handling Ebola (they had worked with Ebola patients in Gulu and Bundibugyo), they quickly recognised the symptoms and took measures to curb its spread. Unfortunately, they were unable to save Nakiguli; she died five hours after getting to the hospital. To determine whether the people who had gotten into contact with the girl had Ebola or not, they were monitored for symptoms of the disease and when they did not show after 21 days, they were declared Ebola free. Even as Malinga congratulated the team at Bombo Military Hospital for stopping what could have been an epidemic, he called upon the public to remain vigilant. "We should celebrate because we have been successful in controlling this outbreak but while we celebrate, we should remember that other cases could be reported," Malinga said. He called upon sick individuals to refrain from going to the Namugongo shrine to celebrate Martyrs Day on June 3, as these could have Ebola and spread it to the masses that turn up to celebrate. If there is anything this outbreak has shown, it is the fact that if patients seek treatment from properly trained personnel, epidemics can be averted. Also, the fact that ordinary Ugandans can be lax about their health was highlighted during this outbreak. Maama Brenda, who runs a restaurant near Bombo Military Hospital, said people were not bothered about the disease. Instead, they simply went about their business, seemingly unbothered. Only one man expressed fear of the disease. While it might be said that the people were right to be unbothered, after all the crisis had been declared over, Malinga called for vigilance. This means that individuals, especially those that are a mere 40km away from Zirobwe (Bombo Military Hospital and Zirobwe are 40km apart), cannot afford to relax. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]