The Ministry of Health has spoken out on reports suggesting that the Sunday marathon which was attended by hundreds of thousands could have ended up endangering all participants considering that the country is battling Ebola virus.
STATEMENT
Attention has been drawn to various social media posts highlighting that the MTN 2022 Marathon held in Kampala is an ‘Ebola super spreader’ event.
The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that following consultations with the technical officers, the Ministry cleared and authorized the MTN 2022 Marathon after assessing that the event posed no risk of Ebola transmission among the participants.
The Ministry of Health would like to categorically state as follows;
Unlike COVID-19, the risk of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) transmission and spread is highest when people are symptomatic (presenting with signs and symptoms). With the screening measures in place at the MTN Kampala Marathon, no participant presented with any other symptom.
Furthermore, symptomatic EVD patients can barely engage in rigorous activities like running and aerobics.
Kampala Metropolitan Area has not registered cases beyond those that were under quarantine, having been contacts to confirmed cases recorded in Kampala. It is important to note that isolating contacts early before they manifest the disease ably curbs the transmission.
This has worked well for Kampala alongside other measures like active surveillance.
The epicentre districts of Mubende and Kasanda remain under restricted movement to prevent the exportation of the Ebola virus to other parts of the country.
These restrictions in movements are continuously reviewed based on the epidemiological trends and risk of transmission.
The Ministry of Health applauds all event organisers who continuously seek clearance prior to their activities.
Beyond the MTN Kampala Marathon, the Ministry has previously cleared a number of events, including music concerts after undertaking Ebola risk assessment and
organisers demonstrating availability of preventive measures.
The Ministry of Health wishes to extend its appreciation to MTN and all its stakeholders for organising a successful marathon whose proceeds are geared towards improvement of child health care.