Travel Alert - Uganda Ebola Outbreak 31 July

 

According to reports on 30 July 2012, Ugandan officials have imposed restrictions on interpersonal contact to help prevent the spread of an Ebola outbreak.

Officials are urging residents to avoid shaking hands and all sexual contact; they are also advising friends and relatives to not bury anyone suspected of having died from the virus,

but rather to immediately contact health care workers trained in proper postmortem care.

The outbreak began three weeks ago in the Kibaale district, which is located approximately 100 mi/170 km west of Kampala.

Reports indicate that at least 14 of the 20 people who have contracted the disease have died; one of the victims died at Kampala’s Mulago hospital,

and officials have quarantined 20 doctors and health care workers there.

 

The U.S. Embassy issued the following Emergency Message: “This Emergency Message is to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Uganda of an outbreak of Ebola virus.

On July 27, 2012, local Ugandan press reported 12 deaths due to a 'strange illness.'

Laboratory tests conducted by the Uganda Virus Research Institute and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed, to date,

that at least one victim was infected with the Ebola virus (Sudan strain).

The Ugandan Ministry of Health, U.S. CDC, and international partners are investigating the case to determine the extent of the outbreak and if additional cases are present.

At this time, the cases appear to be centered in Nyamarunda Sub County, Kibaale district, although one suspected victim is reported to have traveled to Kampala for treatment at Mulago Hospital where he subsequently died on July 22, 2012.

“The likelihood of contracting Ebola is considered extremely low unless there has been a direct contact with body fluids like saliva, urine, or blood of an infected person or animal or the body of someone who has died from the disease. Since the virus spreads through direct contact with blood and other body secretions of an infected person, people living with and caring for Ebola patients are at a higher risk of becoming infected.

 

“The U.S. Mission in Kampala and the CDC office in Uganda recommend that U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Uganda avoid contact with people exhibiting the symptoms described above.

To minimize the risk of contracting Ebola, avoid direct contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, vomit, urine, and stool).

Practice good hygiene, such as washing hands carefully and thoroughly with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleanser if soap and water are unavailable.