In the latest update, over 1,400 confirmed cases of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease, resulting in 350 fatalities, have been reported across two countries. The majority of infections, over 90%, are concentrated in the Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a significant cross-border trading region with Uganda that has been heavily affected by years of armed conflict.
Receiving a call from local authorities in Kampala on a Sunday morning, Dr. Chris Opesen, an anthropologist working with the World Health Organization (WHO), is alerted shortly after 5:30am. The call informs him that a woman suspected of having Ebola is preparing to return home, and he is tasked with ensuring her safe reintegration into the community.
Three days prior, Lilian* had displayed symptoms consistent with Ebola and was transferred to the Ebola isolation unit at Mulago Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. Although the transfer was planned, the experience was distressing for Lilian, her family, and neighbors. They awaited anxiously for the final confirmatory test that would determine if she could safely return home.
Over the following 36 hours, Dr. Opesen maintained regular communication with Lilian and her family, providing reassurance and guidance as community anxiety mounted. Describing his role, he likened himself to a midfielder in a football game, connecting response teams with communities and conveying feedback from the community to the response teams, addressing concerns, fears, and grievances.
To address fears and misinformation, Dr. Opesen, along with colleagues from the Kampala Capital City Authority, organized a community meeting involving Lilian's family and friends before her return. Initially tense and emotional, the meeting transformed into a more structured dialogue as Dr. Opesen guided the group through the process. The community elected a chairperson, a neighbor, and a secretary, Lilian's sister Angela*.
During a visit to a local shop with his colleague Henry Bwire, Dr. Opesen intervened to address a situation where Lilian's mother had reportedly faced stigma the previous day. Mr. Bwire explained that fear and miscommunication can lead to stigma, and their role was to clarify misunderstandings and alleviate community fears.
Upon receiving the negative Ebola test result around 6:30pm, confirming Lilian had a bacterial infection and could safely return home, Dr. Opesen and his team positioned themselves between the hospital and Lilian's neighborhood to wait for her. Accompanied by a member of Uganda's national Emergency Medical Team, Lilian returned home to a warm reception from family and neighbors, where she shared her experience and expressed gratitude for the support.
Dr. Opesen, after a long and rewarding day, emphasized the importance of his role in ensuring a safe and dignified response in the frontline battle against Ebola.
