Uganda has just reported its latest case of Ebola.
The case was reported in Mubende District where a 24-year-old male succumbed to the disease after presenting Ebola symptoms.
Kenyans are now frightened due to the probability of transmission at the borders shared with Uganda.
The fear is also due to the impossibility of a complete closure at the borders due to business activities between the two counties.
While Kenya has never confirmed an Ebola virus case, it’s easy to be complacent, unconcerned and brush off the issue due to ignorance and misinformation.
WHO report
A report by World Health Organization says Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe often fatal illness in humans characterized by fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
Unfortunately, there are several myths that have surrounded the disease such as Ebola is highly contagious, there’s no way to survive the disease once you get it and travel bans would keep Ebola from spreading.
In case of a suspected case the person will be quarantined and samples taken for further testing if need be
WHO report
To refute these claims, Ebola requires a lot of contact with bodily fluids such as urine, vomit and saliva for it to be infectious. If there is access to quality health care services, there are chances of survival.
Also travel restrictions is ineffective in curbing the spread because it prevents aid workers from reaching those who need help.
It’s often transmitted to the human population through close contact with blood, secretions and organs of other bodily fluids of infected animals such as monkey, forest antelope and chimpanzees.
Stringent measures
Kenyan authorities have done their best in taking stringent measures that prevent the spread of the disease.
One article noted that the country’s health officers at all the entry points have been trained on how to identify potential cases.
“In case of a suspected case the person will be quarantined and samples taken for further testing if need be,” read the report in part.
There’s therefore need for a public awareness program which will do away with the misconceptions which make people respond late in case of a suspected case.