The wife, child, and mother of a nurse who succumbed to the Sudan Ebola Virus last week have also tested positive for the disease. The ministry of Health’s surveillance teams tracked them down over the weekend.
Reports indicate that the deceased nurse from Mulago National Referral hospital had relatives in Mafubira Zone A, Northern Division, Jinja City.
Following his death, his wife (whose name has been withheld) traveled with one of their children to Jinja city, where she was located on Friday. She tested positive for Ebola and is currently receiving treatment at Mulago hospital. However, she had left the child in the care of the grandmother.
On Saturday, the child developed fever-like symptoms. Initially, the grandmother sought treatment at a nearby drug shop, but as the condition worsened, she rushed the child to Jinja hospital. Upon revealing their relationship with the deceased nurse, both the grandmother and the child were transferred to Mulago Hospital, where the child tested positive for Ebola on Sunday.
By Monday afternoon, surveillance teams sealed off the nurse’s drug shop and home, visited two schools where his children were enrolled, and transported them to their parent’s homes for screening.
A total of five families were advised to board the surveillance team’s ambulance for further assessment at Mulago hospital. Health authorities fumigated the nurse’s premises and all neighbouring homes within a 50-meter radius. Residents were sensitized on preventive measures, including handwashing and avoiding handshakes.
The surveillance team urged anyone experiencing Ebola-like symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding to seek medical attention at Jinja hospital.
While Jinja City’s health department has yet to issue an official statement, Jinja resident city commissioner Richard Gulume confirmed the presence of Ebola cases in the area. He stated that district surveillance teams would convene a comprehensive meeting today to provide further details to the public.
