The Principal Secretary for Health, Mary Muthoni has urged residents of both Busia and Malaba borders to observe high levels of hygiene as a way of containing Ebola disease.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the two borders in terms of Ebola preparedness, Muthoni noted that the county’s proximity to the border exposes the local residents to high chances of contracting the disease.
“Some of the African countries already have confirmed cases of Ebola and because of our geographical position to these countries, we need to note that we are also at high risk and we need to start keeping high levels of hygiene and avoiding non-essential travels to those countries so that we can protect our people and contain this disease.
She noted that the two border points have a lot of traffic adding that 400 trucks enter the country through Malaba and Busia border daily carrying between 1500 and 2000 people.
‘These are the people we are screening to ensure that they are well by the time they get into our country,” she said adding that such passengers could be coming from countries which have reported cases of Ebola disease,
The PS added that the health team is working on coordination between the agencies that are working at the border points to ensure that the agencies are well coordinated and are well versed on what is happening.
“We are continuing to train our health care workers to know how to deal with the cases should there be any,’ she said, adding that sensitization of members of the public is also ongoing.
Muthoni at the same time said that weekly meetings will be held with truck drivers at the two border points to give them more information on Ebola disease.
‘I want to call for collaboration from the community especially those that are bordering Uganda to observe high levels of hygiene and visit health facilities whenever they feel unwell instead of seeking self -medication from the local chemists,’ she said.
The PS urged the local residents to report persons exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease to health professionals or encourage them to visit health facilities for further assessment.
“We will continue enhancing our vigilance along the border and across the country,’ she said, adding that health care workers will have access to more training.
Muthoni at the same time urged county governments to establish isolation centres and ensure that their health workers have knowledge on Ebola disease.
So far the country has recorded 59 suspected cases and no Ebola positive case has been reported.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
