Glad Kigozi
As the government through the ministry of health is fighting tooth and nail to prevent further spread of Ebola to the yet non infected areas, misinformation among the local people is posing a serious threat against this campaign.
Ebola is a very dangerous infectious disease that broke out in the districts of Mubende and Kassanda and the government was forced to put the two districts on quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading to other districts .
However some local people are not guarding against Ebola with prescribed health precautions, on grounds that they were fully vaccinated against COVID 19 so Ebola cannot infect them. They therefore move freely and mix with all people.
Some people in Mukono district are taking it for granted that they are safe and are not following any safety precautions.
The Scribe News talked to different locals in Mukono District, to share their views about the matter.
John Bosco Ssegane 48 a casual laborer and a resident of Mulago village in Mukono Municipality says that a friend of his convinced him that if one is fully vaccinated against Covid 19 can’t contract Ebola even if he/she gets closer to an Ebola patient.
“I’m lucky to be one of the few who were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson at Mukono general hospital and Johnson is very strong and effective in fighting both Covid & Ebola viruses “, said Ssegane.
Ssegane is not alone, as there many others thinking the same, another source which preferred to only be identified as Robert who is a resident of Kisoga in Ntenjeru subcounty narrates that he got information from colleagues at work that if one is fully vaccinated against Covid 19 and even went for a boaster dose within a period of 6 months can’t contract the Ebola virus.
” The two viruses ( Covid & Ebola) share some symptoms and signs, so I strongly do believe that they can still be prevented using the same vaccines “, said Robert.
Betty Nalukwago 68 a market vendor in Nakifuma market in Nakifuma Town council says she knows nothing about Ebola and that it can be true that if one is fully vaccinated against Covid can’t contract the Ebola virus.
“The health workers should come to our working places here and provide us with the right information for us to guard against that virus”, said Nalukwago.
Teopisita Mirembe a Village health team (VHT) of Bagala zone in Goma division in Mukono Municipality says that as “As a VHT, I’m working hard to mobilize residents in guarding against Ebola but they are responding negatively saying that they vaccinated against Covid and can’t contract Ebola.
“I’m calling upon the Ministry of Health and other partners to come in and render support in fighting the virus through sensitizing the locals”, said Mirembe.
The district Health Officer, Mr Stephen Mulindwa said locals should stop the excuses and take the outbreak as a serious issue, and do adhere to preventive measures and cooperate with health workers to prevent its spread.
“Use the same Covid 19 SOPs, wash hands frequently and avoid shaking hands”, Dr Mulindwa said.
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