Ebola: Kagadi tightens controls on Lake Albert at Congolese border
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Monitor
Health and security authorities in Uganda’s Kagadi district are tightening controls on Lake Albert to limit unauthorised crossings from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Ebola is spreading. Teams have increased screening at the Ndaiga border point, according to district health officer Samuel Onyaiti.
Health authorities and security services in Kagadi district, western Uganda, have tightened movement restrictions on Lake Albert to limit the risk of Ebola being introduced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The district health officer, Dr Samuel Onyaiti, said the checks had been stepped up on 27 October, according to the Daily Monitor.
Teams are enforcing handwashing, temperature checks, physical distancing and quarantine at lakeside entry points. A joint force comprising health, immigration, infantry, marine and Ugandan army personnel is responsible for enforcing the measures. Two landing sites, Ndaiga and Kitebere, are regular crossing points for fishermen and traders between Uganda and the DRC.
Dr Onyaiti warned that uncontrolled crossings could expose the district to an outbreak, as cross-border trade continues despite prevention guidelines. People who breach the restrictions or show symptoms may be placed in isolation centres; they will have to pay for their quarantine, whether they are Ugandan or foreign.
The tightening of controls in Kagadi follows several national measures taken by Uganda in response to the Ebola risk, including screening at the Kenyan border, announced on 24 October, and screening imposed on all entrants on 25 October. On 21 October, the country had confirmed the absence of active cases following a case in Nigeria.
