SA health authorities vigilant as Uganda Ebola outbreak declared public health emergency

South Africa is ramping up preparedness measures as health authorities closely monitor an Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

Ebola is a highly infectious viral haemorrhagic disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Early symptoms include fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe cases can lead to internal and external bleeding, organ failure and death.

Although there are no confirmed cases in South Africa, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the country is not taking any chances.

He said that the government is strengthening screening at ports of entry, training healthcare workers and designating facilities to ensure any suspected cases can be detected and isolated quickly.

The Department of Health said that surveillance will be intensified as the situation in Uganda is monitored.

“We have actually chosen hospitals, 12 private hospitals and 24 public hospitals where the workers are being trained, starting with the security guards at the gates.”

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