Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni. Photo/Newsflash
By Georgina Mwikali
As Kenya stays alert following the declaration of the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda, the Ministry of Health has issued a list of preventive guidelines on the disease.
Firstly, Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can be transmitted through body fluids or close contact with infected humans, animals, or animal products.
Common symptoms of EVD include fever, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, and body aches, often beginning abruptly.
Hemorrhagic signs, such as bleeding from body orifices, may appear in later stages.
Anyone exhibiting symptoms is urged to seek medical attention immediately and avoid treating patients at home.
The ministry has also warned families of deceased individuals to refrain from handling or washing bodies, as improper handling can spread the virus. Safe and dignified burials should be observed.
The public is advised to avoid contact with wild animals, including their meat, feces, and body fluids, and to refrain from unprotected sexual activity.
Uganda confirmed the outbreak in Kampala, with the first confirmed patient dying from the disease on Wednesday, 29 January, 2025.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni says that by implementing these precautionary measures, the government aims to prevent the spread of this highly fatal virus and protect Kenyans.
