No Ebola in Hoima, Says Health Ministry

The ministry of health has dismissed reports of an Ebola outbreak in Hoima district saying it was a false alarm.

This comes days after a Bunyoro Kitara kingdom royal guard died after developing Ebola-like symptoms with two other people including the deceased’s wife admitted in hospital with similar symptoms.

According to Dr. Patrick Mwebaza, a senior hospital administrator at Hoima referral hospital, the deceased identified as Jackson Byamaka passed, shortly after returning from training at Bombo army barracks.

However, Rukia Nakamatte, the health ministry spokesperson said a sample taken to Uganda Virus Institute two days ago turned out negative for the Ebola virus, Marburg and Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Uganda has survived three Ebola outbreaks in 2000, 2008 and 2012 and has championed the fight against the deadly disease in other regions including West Africa.

Written by Reporter