Local residents have continued undertaking their activities as usual without fear folowing the Ebola alert in Uganda. [PHOTO | Frankline Bwire  | West Fm]

The Cross-Border Traders Association has called on the government to intensify the screening exercise of visitors along the Kenya-Uganda border following the Ebola alert in Uganda.

The national chairman David Erulu urged the government to increase the number of health personnel undertaking the exercise on the Busia-Uganda border to ensure it is successful.

“The government on both sides of the border should increase surveillance and border-control as well as medical personnel to facilitate effective screening,” said Erulu while speaking to West FM in Busia town.

He called upon the traders to remain watchful and report any symptoms of Ebola observed to the health officers for quick intervention.

“Traders and other local residents should report immediately any symptom related to the Ebola disease to the medical personnel,” said the cross-border chairman.

Erulu also challenged police officers in the area to beef up security along the border to ensure all visitors entering the country use the official routes so that they can be screened.

Local residents who spoke to West FM said they were satisfied with the precautionary measures put in place by the district medical team, to ensure the disease confirmed in Mid Western Uganda does not spread into the country.

“The 24 hour screening exercise of travelers coming into the country from Uganda is quite good for the safety of the inhabitants,” said Patrick Ouma a local resident.