Ebola death toll in Uganda has risen to 23 after the virus began ravaging the East African country.
The Commissioner of Surveillance at the Ministry of Health Allan Muruta said that additional 36 cases have been reported with 18 currently being confirmed and the other 18 under scrutiny.
According to Muruta, outbreak prevention measures have been put in place to help in curbing the spreading virus from becoming a threat in the country.
Busia residents have called on the government to heighten surveillance along the unsecured border in the fight against the deadly virus.
The locals claim that many people are using illegal routes at Lwakhakha, Sofia and Swam in Kitale to cross the country from Uganda without being inspected.
“We want the panya routes sealed off by security agents so that people can be screened at designated centres before they are allowed in,” said one of the hawkers in Malaba town.
The Busia government in cooperation with the Ministry of Health since last week began screening truck drivers and individuals crossing into Kenya from Malaba and Busia.
Samson Ojwang, Busia County Commissioner stated the county was planning on setting up a special containment facility for individuals testing positive for Ebola.
“We have intensified screening in Busia and Malaba where truck drivers and everybody else visiting the country must undergo mandatory testing and we are in the process of establishing holding sites for those who test positive for Ebola,” Ojwang said.
Residents have been warned from crossing into Uganda using illegal routes by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
“Ebola is a deadly disease and we must be careful because Uganda has confirmed several deaths,” the county boss said.
The authorities and health officials have stated that they have beefed up surveillance at strategic entry border positions between Kenya and Uganda.