ARUA RESPONDS SWIFTLY TO EBOLA OUTBREAK WITH BORDER SCREENING, CONTACT TRACING, AND PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES

Arua district RDC Gore Gophine, while giving upadate about Ebola

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

In response to the Ebola outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic Congo’s Ituri Province, Arua District and City authorities have reactivated rapid response and surveillance teams to trace suspected contacts.

Screening at border points such as Vurra and Odramacaku has been intensified to prevent further spread.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) have declared the situation a global public health emergency, leading to increased alert levels in high-risk districts like Arua, Koboko, and Zombo, primarily due to cross-border movements.

Gore Gophine, the Resident District Commissioner of Arua, stated that teams are actively mapping, tracking, and isolating individuals who may have crossed from affected areas.

“We don’t have positive contact as of now but we have contacts of people whom we think are at high risk because of either proximity or having association with suspected cases of Ebola. So, I want to ask everyone to be on a high alert, coordinate and report to the health services. The Ebola task forces in both Arua district and city are already alert and I want to ask everyone to hand wash, keep distance and stop unnecessary greetings” he assured.

Emphasizing the current lack of a licensed vaccine for this Bundibugyo Ebola strain, experts advised the public to avoid bush meat and contact with sick or dead animals.

Gore, also underscored the importance of following standard operating procedures set by the Ebola task force and the need to isolate and report anyone showing symptoms promptly.

“I want to ask the people of Arua district, city and the entire West Nile region to be aware of the threats caused by Ebola since the region is intertwined and bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease is very real and everyone should adhere to the standard operating procedures set in place. Everyone should be on a high alert and report about anyone experiencing high fever, vomiting, diarrhea and hosing blood every part to the nearest health facility for the health personnel to respond timely” he added.

Ebola transmits through direct contact with infected blood or body fluids from humans or animals.

The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) has decentralized testing efforts, allowing for faster local screening and sample processing.

The West Nile region is considered high-risk owing to cross-border movement with DRC and South Sudan, compounded by refugee settlements that make controlling disease spread more challenging. Overall, the response emphasizes vigilant contact tracing, border screening, community awareness, and rapid testing to contain the outbreak effectively.