The Ministry of Health (MOH) surveillance teams on Monday tracked down a nurse, who also runs a drug shop, suspected of having been in contact with an Ebola patient last week. Reports indicate that a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital, who succumbed to Ebola last week, had relatives living 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. She was tracked down on Friday, tested positive for Ebola, and is now undergoing treatment at Mulago Hospital. However, she had left the child with the grandmother.
On Saturday, the child developed fever-like symptoms. Initially, the grandmother took her to a nearby drug shop for treatment, but her condition worsened, prompting them to rush her to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. Upon revealing their relationship with the deceased nurse from Mulago Hospital, both the grandmother and the child were transferred to Mulago Hospital, where the child tested positive for Ebola on Sunday.
On Monday afternoon, surveillance teams surrounded the nurse’s drug shop and home. They interacted with him and his wife before he admitted to having treated the child. The teams also visited two schools where the nurse’s children were enrolled, picked them up, and brought them to their parents’ home.
A total of five families were advised to board the surveillance team ambulance and were transported to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further assessment. Authorities fumigated the nurse’s premises and all neighboring homes within a 50-meter radius. Community members were sensitized on standard operating procedures, including handwashing and avoiding handshakes.
The surveillance team also urged residents to visit Jinja Hospital if they experience Ebola-like symptoms such as fever and vomiting. Jinja City’s health department is yet to issue an official statement. However, Jinja Resident City Commissioner Richard Gulume confirmed the presence of Ebola cases in the area. Gulume stated that the district surveillance teams will hold a comprehensive meeting tomorrow to provide detailed information to the public.