EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE  — Following an out break of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the region, residents neighboring Uganda should not be allowed to freely cross the border, Governor Theonesthe Mutsindashyka has said.

Addressing district and other staff at Nyagatare Nursing school main hall on Tuesday, the Governor asked district leaders to restrict free movement of people across the border saying it would expose residents to the risk of contracting the epidemic disease.

 "We have got information that the virus known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever has now reached as near as Mbarara district, so it’s advisable to restrict free movement to and from Uganda because Rwanda would be risking its residents to be infected with the deadly virus which started from Bundibugyo and it is now spreading to other areas,” he said.

Mutsindashyaka advised local leaders to devise precautionary measures and warn residents on possible outbreak of the epidemic disease in the country.

The disease which broke out in western Uganda district of Bundibugyo recently, has claimed more than eighty people including a medical doctor.

However, media reports say the disease had not been confirmed in their western district of Mbarara.

The Governor’s call follows similar warning from the Rwandan ministry of health urging caution.

District healthy director Justine Rwagasore, when asked about precautionary measures taken to avoid a possible outbreak of the highly contagious disease, he indicated that if the disease was confirmed in Mbarara it would put Rwanda on much risk.

"We have not confirmed whether the death in Mbarara was due to Ebola but now hospitals are on a high alert awaiting equipments to equip the medical personnel with both skills and equipments as we ready to fight the epidemic,” Rwagasore said.

Nyagatare district shares borders with Ugandan western districts.

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