By Sylvia
In response to the recent Ebola outbreak in Ntoroko District, where five suspected cases are currently receiving treatment at the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, schools in Fort Portal and Kabarole districts have begun sensitizing students on how to protect themselves from the virus.
Our Jubilee News team visited several schools in Fort Portal and Kabarole this morning to assess how they are implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Many schools have started educating their students about the disease, although a few are yet to fully implement the measures.
Ebola SOPs
According to Kisembo Charles, Deputy Head Teacher at Buhinga Primary School, they spent the morning explaining to students how Ebola is transmitted and the importance of following SOPs. These he explained include practices such as handwashing, avoiding hugs, and refraining from handshakes and high crowded areas.
The Deputy Head Teacher also mentioned that the school plans to set up handwashing stations at the school entrance and throughout the campus.
Hilda Lisa, a representative from Divine Mercy Secondary School, said that the school has suspended parent visits and is using e-communication instead. They have also restricted students from leaving the school premises, emphasizing regular handwashing and sanitizing.
Health Workers Resort to Churches, Schools for Ebola Awareness Campaigns
Clare
Health workers in Fort Portal City and Kabarole district are urging religious leaders to install hand-washing facilities at church entrances to help prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which is feared to have reached the region.
At Our Lady of Snows Virika Cathedral yesterday, Sunday, March 10, 2023, Kabarole District Health Educator Catherine Kemigabo addressed the congregation, highlighting that churches and schools are high-risk environments due to large gatherings. She urged church leaders to take necessary precautions, pointing out that, unlike COVID-19, Ebola symptoms can appear 2 to 21 days after exposure and worsen over time, increasing the risk of death for those infected.
Kemigabo further urged the congregation to remain vigilant and report any cases of sudden death to the relevant authorities before proceeding with burial, citing a recent incident where mourners claimed their relative had been bewitched and buried, when in fact, the individual had died from Ebola. She explained that this misinformation can lead to further spread, as the contacts of the deceased are difficult to trace.
She warned residents against attributing illnesses to witchcraft, stressing the importance of focusing on the real issue.
“We have challenges with some of our who believe in witchcraft and run to witchdoctors incase of any random disease. This is a big challenge in our fight against Ebola. We highly call on the community to reach out to us as soon as they register patients with Ebola-like symptoms” Said Kemigabo
Kemigabo also called for cooperation from residents who may have been in contact with suspected Ebola cases. She encouraged honesty in sharing information, explaining that doing so would help trace the virus and prevent its spread, ultimately protecting everyone’s health.
