The health ministry of Uganda as ordered the closure of the Uganda – DR Congo border post of Bunagana and Mupaka towns for a period for 4 weeks in order to avoid cross border movement of people so as to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus which is posing a risk to Uganda.
The two border towns are key for trade business between Uganda and Congo which the government of Uganda honors and has put exception to restricted essential cross-border movement for items like humanitarian activities, food transfer vehicles, cargo transport, emergency operators and health personnel are permitted to cross under the guidelines of Uganda Ministry of Health.
According to the Ministry of health permanent secretary, Dr Dian Atwine, Uganda currently has a total of 7 Ebola cases and 1 death, which has prompted the government to immediately close Congo Uganda border crossing so as to minimize border infections and to protect Ugandans
Points to Note:
Uganda has created a National Task Force on Ebola headed of the Ugandan vice president – Jessica Alupo aimed at stopping the spread f the virus further into the country.
No people shall cross the border from Congo or Uganda by road, rivers, lakes and flight for a period of 4 weeks as they monitor and control current infections.
Authorized persons returning from Congo must undergo a mandatory self-isolation and monitoring for a period of 21 days and only allowed out in clearance.
Only essential providers are allowed to cross the borders into Congo including food and casual vehicles, Ebola response team from Uganda, essential security personals under strict guidelines.
All Congo entrants from Uganda shall be subject to health screening, completion of locator forms and close monitoring following the guidelines of ministry of health
All boarding schools at border districts remain open and studying shall continue as long as the situation still remains under control. School Authorities have been directed to identify and start monitors all students that have recently been in DR Congo on holidays for symptoms like fever, diarrhea, high temperatures and should report immediately for the ministry of health.
All Resident district commissioners and other district leading bodies have been instructed by the ministry of health to maintain strict practices preventing Ebola spread from one person to another as issued by the Uganda National Task Force on Ebola.
Ugandan media houses has been tasked to dedicate at least 30 minutes top-prime airing time to sensitizing the public on Ebola, its symptoms, prevention and reporting
Together as Ugandans we can fight and beat the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (BEVD) disease if we follow health guidelines and report any suspicious symptoms immediately.
” For God and my country”
