Zadok Wabuse, a 78-year-old resident of Bukhabusi Sub-county in Namisindwa District, has been confirmed to have died from tuberculosis (TB), dispelling initial fears of an Ebola outbreak.
Wabuse passed away at Bukhabusi Health Center III shortly after being admitted. His death raised alarm as he exhibited Ebola-like symptoms, including bleeding from multiple body openings. This prompted health officials and the public to suspect a possible Ebola case.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. While severe, it differs from Ebola, which is a viral hemorrhagic fever.
On Wednesday, a health team led by Acting Namisindwa District Health Officer Stephen Masai Wasu worked alongside the Mbale City Ebola response team to collect samples from the deceased. The samples were sent to the Ebola laboratory in Mbale for testing, and results confirmed that Wabuse had died of tuberculosis, not Ebola.
Namisindwa Resident District Commissioner Julie Namara has urged the public to remain vigilant and continue observing health precautions, including regular handwashing, social distancing, and avoiding crowded places, to prevent potential future outbreaks.
Earlier we reported that : A person in Namisindwa district has died after exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms, including bleeding from all body openings. The incident occurred on Tuesday night at Bukhabusi Health Center III in Bukhabusi Sub County. The patient had been admitted earlier that day with fever and suspected malaria.
Stephen Masai Wasu, the Acting Namisindwa District Health Officer, reported that on Wednesday morning, a medical team from Mbale transported the body to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Laboratory for testing to determine the cause of death.
Masai urged the public to exercise caution by avoiding large gatherings, handshakes, and other activities that could facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. He called for calm as the district health team awaits test results from Mbale, expected later today, before issuing an official statement.
Julie Namara, the Namisindwa Resident District Commissioner, noted that the Ebola response team is currently in Mbale City, where a confirmed case was recently reported. She stated that if the deceased is confirmed to have had Ebola, all contacts—both at home and at Bukhabusi Health Center III—will be traced and quarantined.
Last week, one Ebola case was confirmed in Mbale City, with the victim buried while 27 others remain in quarantineawaiting test results.
As of the time of publishing, Bukhabusi Health Center III was operating normally. Health authorities are expected to release official test results later today.