Lawrence Lutaaya, (Uganda Red Cross Society) and Jean-Luc Martinage (International Federation)
Uganda Red Cross volunteers and staff have been mobilized to respond to an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever currently affecting Western Uganda, especially the Bundibugyo district, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to government figures, at least 115 confirmed cases have been registered so far. Twenty-six people have already died, among them are several health workers, including one doctor, one clinical officer and two nurses.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a highly contagious and deadly disease for which there is no known cure and may kill 90 per cent of all people exposed to it. Its symptoms are high fever, headache, muscular pain, diarrhoea, reduced urine and massive uncontrollable bleeding. It is spread through direct physical contact with body fluids of an infected person and consumption of animals carrying the virus.
Responding to such a crisis is a challenge for Uganda which has a weak rural public health system. A national task force has been established to coordinate the response by all partners, including the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Uganda Red Cross Society is part of the task force. As soon as the crisis started, volunteers have been put on high alert and have been involved in the national response.
“There is a big information gap in the affected communities who have very little idea on the mode of transfer of Ebola,” explains Alice Uwase Anukur, the secretary general of Uganda Red Cross. “This is why we decided to mobilize and train about 100 volunteers in the Bundibugyo district to carry out door-to-door sensitisation campaigns”. Volunteers also help with identification of new cases and with transport of sick people to hospitals.
“There are many rumours circulating even in Kampala, the capital city,” says Gladys Nakinoneka, programme officer at Uganda Red Cross disaster management unit. “This is the reason why it is crucial for people to be well-informed of what Ebola fever really is and what the risks are,” she adds.
As the situation worsens, more steps will be taken to improve public information with the distribution of brochures and the training of new volunteers to support health workers in community sensitization, case tracing and referral. Psychosocial support to the affected families will also be offered. “Another priority is to quickly provide our volunteers with protective materials such as gloves, gumboots, masks and disinfectant to avoid them being contaminated,” says Alice.
Uganda Red Cross Society was involved in the response to another Ebola outbreak that hit the country in 2000-2001 when over 800 people were affected in Gulu and Masindi districts. More than 150 deaths were reported. Materials for community-sensitization and education had been developed then so they can be translated in the local language and used again this time. However, more funds are needed to provide better logistical and technical support to branches in the affected areas, especially Bundibugyo but also Kasese, Kabalore, Kampala, Kamwenge, Mbarara, Bushenyi, Kibaale and Hoima.
A national appeal for UG Shs 706,000 (US$ 400,000) has been launched targeting 600,000 people. On November 30, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also released CHF 152,000 from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to help Uganda Red Cross in its response.