The Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union held a ProDev hour on June 18th to discuss Ebola virus disease (EVD) prevention and response measures for schools. Dr. Rose Nampeera, an epidemiologist from the AFENET presented comprehensive guidelines on how schools can prevent and respond to EVD outbreaks, covering symptoms, prevention measures, isolation procedures, and reporting protocols. The presentation explained that schools serve as key surveillance points due to high student and staff interactions, emphasizing the importance of proper hygiene, waste management, and early identification of suspected cases. Dr. Nampeera provided updates on the current Uganda outbreak, reporting 19 confirmed cases with a 10.5% case fatality rate, mostly affecting people from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and health workers. Rogers from the union secretariat shared observations from recent school visits across the country, noting varying levels of compliance with EVD prevention measures and reporting that some activities had been temporarily suspended due to the outbreak. The discussion addressed concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE) availability for school staff, with Dr. Nampeera explaining that the Ministry of Health lacks funds for PPE purchases and recommended focusing on prevention measures like temperature screening, hand washing facilities, and proper cleaning protocols instead. The session concluded with guidance on managing stigma through education and information sharing about the disease and its transmission.
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