The Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of Coronavirus Disease -Covid-19 in Uganda.
The case is a 36-year-old Ugandan, a resident of Kakungulu Zone, kibuli, who returned home this morning aboard Ethiopian Airlines from Dubai. He travelled out of Ugandan on March 17 for business.
On his return, he presented with symptoms of high fever and poor appetite. His temperature was at 38 degrees centigrade, prompting the authorities to isolate him for further tests, which later proved positive, according to Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng.
He is now isolated at Entebbe Grade B Hospital.
The declaration came just moments after President Yoweri Museveni announced that Entebbe International Airpirt and all Ugandan Borders will be closed from midnight tomorrow to stop passengers coming into Uganda from any part of the world.
“Humans crossing into Uganda from the different border points are also prohibited going forward”, the president said, as part of the additional measure to contain the virus, which has paralyzed the globe.
According to Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, all the passengers who were aboard the flight are in quarantine and Ugandan immigration have their passports.
Aceng also clarified that the Chinese nationals who had escaped from isolation in Entebbe were arrested from Zombo as they escaped to the neighbouring DRC.
The World Health Organization Country Representative Dr Tegnen Woldermariam noted that with the confirmed case, they are now considering introducing antibody tests in Uganda although he said mass testing will not be done even as is being considered in other countries.
To-date, there are 1827 travelers under both self and institutional quarantine in Uganda. A number of these are Ugandan nationals.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
According to the World Health Organisation-WHO, people infected with the COVID-19 virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. The public has been urged to protect themselves from infection by washing hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently as the best way to prevent and slow down transmission.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
