A MSF medical and logistical team is currently in Kasese district, Uganda, where three cases of Ebola were declared since 11 June, all of whom were members of the same family traveling from DRC. Two of the cases sadly died, while the third case and two other members of the family, showing symptoms consistent with the disease, were repatriated to DRC.
The MSF team is supporting the Ugandan health authorities with the management of people who have been in contact with confirmed Ebola patients and who are showing symptoms compatible with the disease, for which close monitoring is needed while waiting to confirm whether they are infected or not.
MSF also remains ready to intervene to support the management of any new cases, in a 8-bed Ebola Treatment Unit which MSF participated to set-up in Bwera hospital in August 2018, and where four suspect cases are currently hospitalized. MSF also participated in training the Ministry of Health staff in the management of hemorrhagic fevers cases – including during the response to a Marburg fever outbreak in Uganda between October and December 2017.
Finally, MSF will collaborate with the Ministry of Health to improve the hygiene and infection control measures in Kagando and Bwera hospitals, where the confirmed Ebola cases were first admitted, and remains ready to support the safe provision of care for medical needs unrelated to Ebola in these facilities, should the need be.
MSF first intervened in Uganda in 1980. We are currently running programs to assist South Sudanese refugees in the North of the country, as well as longer-term programs in Arua and Kasese districts. Here, focus is put on HIV, as well as access to healthcare for populations with specific needs (adolescents, fishermen communities, sex workers, amongst others). We are also responding to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.