Health authorities in Kisoro have confirmed that two patients who were isolated on suspicion of Ebola have tested negative for the deadly virus.
The Kisoro District Health Officer, Dr Bosco Muhangi, said Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results for both patients returned negative.
“They will be treated as regular patients,” Dr Muhangi said.
Fear and anxiety had spread across the district after the two suspected cases were isolated at Kisoro Hospital amid concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to the Kisoro District Assistant Health Officer and Disease Control and Surveillance Focal Person, Nick Muneza, the suspects included one Ugandan and one Congolese national who had shown symptoms associated with Ebola Virus Disease.
Muneza had earlier explained that the patients were being handled as suspected Ebola cases pending laboratory confirmation and urged the public to remain calm while observing preventive measures.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces. The disease has reportedly claimed more than 150 lives in eastern DRC, raising concerns among neighboring countries, including Uganda and Rwanda.
The outbreak has also affected cross-border movement, prompting stricter standard operating procedures between Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Meanwhile, the Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Badru Sebyalla, has urged residents to strictly observe Ebola prevention guidelines.
Authorities are encouraging the public to continue practicing regular handwashing, use of sanitizers and immediate reporting of any suspected Ebola symptoms to nearby health facilities or the district Ebola task force.
At the same time, Rwandan authorities have reopened the border for normal traffic and passengers. However, travellers from high-risk areas including Beni, Bunia, Kasindi, Ntoroko and Kasese are currently not allowed to enter Rwanda. Passenger buses that had previously been denied entry have also been allowed to resume operations.
