UNICEF supports Ebola preparedness in Uganda

Following the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 1, 2018, UNICEF and development partners like WHO, WFP, UNHCR, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Uganda Red Cross Society, USAID, CHC and FHI360 continue to support the Government through the Ministry of Health, with risk communication, social mobilization, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, surveillance and case management and pyscho-social support, logistics and supplies to keep the virus from spreading.

According to the CDC, one month after outbreak, there are 120 cumulative cases, 90 deaths and 50 probable cases recorded.

At the Bwera Point of Entry on two Market days, between 12,000 and 15,000 people cross from the Democratic Republic of Congo to trade in Mpondwe market in Uganda. UNICEF is supporting Uganda Red Cross on the WASH and risk communication and social mobilization interventions to alert the public on how to avoid contracting the Ebola Virus Disease.

A Uganda Red Cross Society volunteer sprays shoes of a Congolese family at the Ebola Virus Disease screening point, at the Ntoroko Landing site on Lake Albert, Uganda. Many Congolese travel daily to Uganda for trade and other socio-economic reasons.

People travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo dip their shoes in a basin with chlorine solution at the Ebola screening point at the border town of Bwera, Kasese District. UNICEF has supported all major Points of Entry with WASH facilities to help prevent spread of Ebola Virus Disease.

A Uganda Red Cross Society volunteer measures the temperature of a Congolese with an infrared thermometer, at the Ntoroko Landing site on the shores of Lake Albert, Uganda. All persons entering Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo are screened for Ebola Virus Disease.

Health workers clean outside the Ebola Treatment Unit at Bwera Hospital, Kasese District. This facility is located near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda Red Cross Society with support from UNICEF is providing WASH facilities and carrying out risk communication and social mobilization drives to help communities protect themselves from contracting the Ebola Virus Disease.

A Congolese woman is assisted by the Uganda Red Cross Society volunteer to wash her hands with chlorinated water at the Point of Entry, Bwera, in Kasese District. This is all part of the Ebola preparedness to control the spread of the virus disease.

Uganda Red Cross Society volunteers screen incoming people from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is part of the interventions that UNICEF, WHO and CDC are supporting at various designated Points of Entry.

Rwebisango Health Centre III, Ntoroko District has prepared an Ebola Treatment Unit to isolate any suspected cases of the Ebola Virus. The health facility is located about 30 km from the border where hundreds of the indignant population from the Democratic Republic of Congo are crossing into Uganda especially for trading during market days.

A Uganda Red Cross Society volunteer measures the temperature of a Congolese national with an infrared thermometer in Bwera town located at the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kasese District, Western Uganda.

“The Congolese man is asked to sit in a tent erected to observe suspected cases. He has a high temperature and protocol requires he be observed for 15 minutes. If the temperature reduces, he will continue his journey, if not he will be taken to the Ebola Treatment Unit at Bwera Hospital in an ambulance for tests and treatment.”

Uganda Red Cross Society volunteers carry out risk communication and social mobilization drives about the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in Mpondwe village located near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Uganda. The activity is supported by UNICEF.

A Uganda Red Cross Society volunteer uses a radio call to create awareness on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease at the border town of Bwera located between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. He is explaining what the Ebola Virus Disease is and how it is transmitted. On a normal day, between 6,000 and 12,000 people cross at the Point of Entry in Bwera.