President Yoweri Museveni has directed traditional healers in Uganda to stop treating people during the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Ebola has so far killed 19 people in Uganda.
Likewise, President Museveni directed security officials to arrest people suspected of having contracted the virus if they refuse to go into isolation.
During a televised address to the nation, Museveni told the traditional healers and herbalists not to treat people suspected of being infected with Ebola.
Moreover, President Museveni’s order comes following the death of a 45-year-old-man who was listed by health teams as having been exposed to the Ebola virus.
The deceased, who died in a hospital in Kampala hours after being admitted, had fled his village in Mubende district, the outbreak’s epicenter. However, before seeking help from the hospital, the deceased is said to have sought treatment from a traditional healer.
Additionally, some of the man’s family members have been put under quarantine, while others have gone into hiding.
Nonetheless, President Museveni has urged them to report to health facilities.
Despite saying there were currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Kampala, Museveni warned the public to continue being vigilant. He assured them that health workers would bring the outbreak under control.
Furthermore, one month has passed since Uganda confirmed the outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola, which has now spread to five districts.
Nevertheless, there have been 54 confirmed cases so far. Luckily, 20 people, including five medical workers, have recovered from the virus.
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