UGANDA: Archbishop of Kampala Asks the faithful to take Some precautions following Outbreak of Marburg Virus in Kampala
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| Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala |
Following the outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
(MVD) in Kampala, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of the Catholic Archdiocese
of Kampala has asked the faithful to take some precautions which included a directive on temporarily stopping the faithful from shaking hands as a
sign of peace during Eucharistic Celebrations.
(MVD) in Kampala, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of the Catholic Archdiocese
of Kampala has asked the faithful to take some precautions which included a directive on temporarily stopping the faithful from shaking hands as a
sign of peace during Eucharistic Celebrations.
Confirming the directive by the Archbishop,
Fr. Philip Odii, the National Communications Secretary told AMECEA Online News that the Archbishop
however, did not issue an official directive, either in writing or so, but
rather have been advising faithful of the Archdiocese to
avoid shaking hands in general and hugging as a measure to prevent the spread
of the virus.
Fr. Philip Odii, the National Communications Secretary told AMECEA Online News that the Archbishop
however, did not issue an official directive, either in writing or so, but
rather have been advising faithful of the Archdiocese to
avoid shaking hands in general and hugging as a measure to prevent the spread
of the virus.
“The Archbishop was just echoing the
sentiments of the president of the Republic of Uganda His Excellency Yoweri
Museveni who on 9th October, during the 52nd Independent
Day celebration at Kololo Airstrip who warned Ugandans not to shake hands or eat
game meat as a result of MVD breakout in Kampala.” Fr. Philip said.
sentiments of the president of the Republic of Uganda His Excellency Yoweri
Museveni who on 9th October, during the 52nd Independent
Day celebration at Kololo Airstrip who warned Ugandans not to shake hands or eat
game meat as a result of MVD breakout in Kampala.” Fr. Philip said.
On 5th
October 2014, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Uganda notified WHO of a
confirmed case of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Kampala, Uganda.
October 2014, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Uganda notified WHO of a
confirmed case of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Kampala, Uganda.
The
confirmed case was a healthcare worker who had onset of disease on 11th
September 2014 while working at Mengo Hospital, Kampala. The case presented to
Mpigi District Health Center on 17th September 2014, and transferred
to Mengo Hospital, Kampala, on 23rd September 2014. On admission the
case presented with symptoms including fever, headache, abdominal pain,
vomiting and diarrhoea and died on 28th September 2014.
confirmed case was a healthcare worker who had onset of disease on 11th
September 2014 while working at Mengo Hospital, Kampala. The case presented to
Mpigi District Health Center on 17th September 2014, and transferred
to Mengo Hospital, Kampala, on 23rd September 2014. On admission the
case presented with symptoms including fever, headache, abdominal pain,
vomiting and diarrhoea and died on 28th September 2014.
The case
reported no history of travel beyond Mpigi, no contact with a person with
similar illness. He had not eaten bush meat nor had had contacts with bats in
the last 4 weeks.
reported no history of travel beyond Mpigi, no contact with a person with
similar illness. He had not eaten bush meat nor had had contacts with bats in
the last 4 weeks.
“So far no
other similar infections have been reported elsewhere in the country and the
Ministry of Health is on high alert,” Fr. Philip said.
other similar infections have been reported elsewhere in the country and the
Ministry of Health is on high alert,” Fr. Philip said.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
