Put anti-ebola measures in Lake Victoria, State told

Some of the fishermen who were fishing in Lake Victoria within Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

Fishermen want the government to put measures in place on Lake Victoria islands bordering Uganda to prevent the spread of Ebola.

During fishing expeditions in the lake, a number of fishermen from various islands in Homa Bay county interact with their counterparts from Uganda.

Several Kenyan islands, including Remba, Ringiti, and Mfangano, border Uganda via Lake Victoria. This facilitates interaction between fishermen from the islands and their Ugandan counterparts.

In Uganda, more than 100 Ebola cases have been reported. The fishermen's interaction exposes them to the risk of contracting Ebola.

The situation has alarmed the Homa Bay County Beach Management Network, a fishermen's organisation.

The network's chairman, Edward Oremo, and the chairman of the Ndhuru Beach Management Unit, John Ogweno, have urged the national government and the Homa Bay county government to implement measures to protect fishermen from contracting Ebola.

Despite interactions with Ugandan counterparts, Oremo says many fishermen are unaware of the spread of Ebola and its dangers.

He added that fishermen must be given proper guidance to avoid contracting the disease.

"When our fishermen go fishing in Lake Victoria, they meet Ugandan fishermen. However, most of us are unaware of the disease's signs and symptoms, let alone how dangerous it is," Oremo said.

The chairman urged fishermen to visit Uganda as little as possible