Uganda has implemented a lockdown in two districts in the country, in Mubende and Kassanda in the center. Movements to and from these areas are prohibited, curfews are in place and public places such as markets, bars and churches will be closed, President Yoweri Museveni announced. In this way, the country hopes to contain the Ebola epidemic.
According to the Ugandan Ministry of Health, 19 people have died from the virus since September 20. About 58 people became infected. The cases are concentrated in both districts and so strict measures are now being taken there. The epidemic has not yet reached the capital Kampala, with 1.5 million inhabitants, it sounds.
The lockdown applies for 21 days. Transport of goods from both districts is still allowed, but all other transport is suspended. Police are allowed to arrest people suspected of being infected with Ebola, but refuse to isolate themselves, it said.
Same symptoms as malaria
The Ebola virus is transmitted through bodily fluids. The main symptoms are fever, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches, followed by bleeding. One is only contagious after the appearance of the first symptoms, the incubation period is 2 to 21 days. But because the first symptoms are very similar to those of malaria, it sometimes takes some time before the alarm is raised.
The virus regularly crops up in Africa, in Uganda the previous epidemic dates from 2019. There is no vaccine for this Sudanese-Ugandan variant yet.
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