The address that His Excellency President Yoweri Kagutta Museveni gave a couple of days ago, on the Ebola Virus Disease, reminded me of this post, “pandemic management task forces need cultural anthropologists” that I authored during the Covid pandemic.
President Museveni implied human induced causation of the spread of Ebola from other animals to humans. He said something to the effect:
“If bats were in the forest and we were not invading the forest, there may not have been the spread of Ebola. When we do so, that is how we provoke problems. Issues of the environment are about our survival . The balance of nature.”
Overall, I liked the tone of the President’s address, specifically the bits delivered in English that I understood. I liked his emphasis and focus on human agency as a major factor in handling the pandemic.
The President alluded to there being a low infectious diseases suspicion index among us, as a nation, including medical workers. Four of the five Ugandans infected during the ongoing outbreak, after all, are doctors.
Apparently, the infected doctors, all from the same healthcare facility, a hospital, likely contracted Ebola when they attempted to resuscitate an infected patient who went into cardiac arrest.
At the time, the doctors, did not know that the Congolese whose life they tried to save, was infected with Ebola. The President, nevertheless, revealed he thinks “the doctors handled the patient carelessly.” Without protecting themselves.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, a medical doctor, at prompting of the President, excited me when she indicated that they, who are in charge, are systematically noting new knowledge and experiences.
Pointing out how the new learning is instrumental in adjusting implementation strategies for overcoming Ebola and controlling its spread.
Highlighting, for example, learning that this time round, they have discovered and taken note of how the Ebola virus exists in high concentration in saliva, stool, vomit, and semen.
Because of Ebola’s high concentration in saliva, Dr. Atwine, guided that certain human practices should be avoided, in order to minimize spread of Ebola.
Do not share cups or drinking bottles, including during holy communion. This kind of sharing increases risk of spreading Ebola, among other diseases, such as Hepatitis. And do not eat any fruit that has a broken part or has been beaten.
These seemingly straightforward ‘common sense’ guidance is given each time. Why is it we continue to revert back to doing that which we know is potentially risky for our lives?
Useful answers to these questions can best be gotten by those with a tendency to appreciate the wisdom that:
“A pandemic carries many stories, only some of which involve the virus. But recalling such things requires retaining critical imagination, a capacity to reflect while acting, and an ability to listen as well as hear.” Peter Redfield
Am talking cultural anthropologists.
But for now, giving credit where it is due. Dr. Atwine clarified to the President that “no additional cases in the last five days” had been registered, which is a good thing.
And, 5/15 Ebola infected in our territory have recovered. Seven are receiving medical care and it is hoped they too will recover. Two have since succumbed to the infection early at the start of the pandemic. No more Ebola deaths in Uganda since.
the Humanist view 
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