Tanzania: Kagera Regional Authorities Brace Up For Ebola Outbreak

By Mutayoba Arbogast,Bukoba,Tanzania [caption id="attachment_100894" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kagera Region Administrative Secretary,Toba Nguvila(in stripped coat) during awareness raising against ebola virus disease(EVD),in Missenyi district.[/caption] Residents in Kagera region have been cautioned neither to greet one another by shaking hands nor hugging, as precautionary measures against  the  ebola virus disease(EVD) whose outbreak was reported  in neigboouring Tanzania.,. The directives were given by Kagera Region Administrative Secretary,Toba Nguvila,who has visited Kabindi beach fish market,in Kashenye village and ward,in Missenyi district,which is neighbouring Uganda. Uganda’s Ministry of Health reports   as of 25 September,2022,36 EVD cases in Mubende and Kyegegwa districts(18 confirmed,18 suspected),and 23 cumulative deaths(4 confirmed,19 probable),399 contact cases have been  identified and 104 under follow-up. It is from this kind of situation, the authorities in Kagera,accompanied  by medical experts,are visiting border areas to raise awareness against the epidemic. "At boarders we share many things,and cooperate in businesses, in trade and social activities.But when such a disease  erupts,we should stop for a while,the habits and norms we are used to as this is a deadly disease,killing within a very short time,so all our efforts  should target to prevention instead of cure",Nguvila told the fisherfolks,fishmongers and other villagers at the beach. He has directed the village and ward leaders to 'stand on their marks' in recognising the danger the country is facing unless they fulfill their duties including to control interactions by reporting unusual incidents. He assured them the medical services and equipment were available in case someone seeks medical care. That if they find someone has symptoms, they should report the matter immediately so that appropriate measures are  taken. Kashenye village chairperson, Eustace Makubo  said they'll do their best to put  the ebola threats under control  by  following all the precautions given. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, and chills, and at later stage a person may experience internal bleeding resulting in vomiting or coughing of  blood. Experts  say people should avoid contact  with blood  and body fluids of a patient,and to avoid contact with carcasses of  bats,forest antelopes,and non human pirates such as  monkeys and chimpanzees.