Cecafa faces Ebola scare

MONDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2012 10:18

JOY NDOVI

The 2012 Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) senior challenge cup hangs in balance after a fresh outbreak of Ebola virus hit the host city Kampala in Uganda.

The new Ebola outbreak was confirmed on Wednesday last week in a district 60km from the Ugandan capital.

The outbreak comes just a few days before the regional tournament kicks off on November 24.

Malawi is expected to participate in the tournament as guests alongside 11 other Cecafa region nations.

The Flames are in Group C together with Rwanda, Eretria and Zanzibar.

Football Association of Malawi(Fam) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said they were watching the situation in Kampala.

"We have already contacted Cecafa to give us a report on the situation in Kampala. We will make a decision based on the report we will get from Cecafa and the local organizing committee," Nyirenda said.

Kenya has also petitioned Cecafa over the outbreak.

According to a statement by Kenyan FA, dated November 17, addressed to Cecafa general secretary Nicholas Musonye, the Kenyans are seeking safety guarantees.

"It is disturbing to note that the outbreak is in Kampala, which is the only venue of the tournament. Our federation is taking the health of our players very seriously and even our government has taken measures by posting health officials at the Kenya - Uganda border."

"We therefore, request for guidance over this issue from the country's medical authorities, the regional World Health Organisation and the Kenya Ministry of Health before we send our team for the tournament."

Meanwhile, several people have been quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus that has already claimed three lives.

The latest outbreak comes after another one which killed at least 16 people in July and August in the western district of Kibaale.

Malawi was forced to withdraw from an international friendly against Uganda's Cranes in fear of the outbreak.

But Ugandan health authorities have said the situation was under control.

"The Ministry of Health once again calls upon the public to stay calm as all possible measures are being undertaken to control the situation," Christine Ondoa, Uganda's minister of health, told BBC.

Ebola, which has no cure or vaccine, is highly infectious virus known to kill quickly.

The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or secretions of an infected person.

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