Message for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
Message for U.S. Citizens
Ebola Outbreak Update
August 7, 2012
This Message for U.S. Citizens traveling and residing in Uganda is an update to the Emergency Message on July 28, 2012, regarding the confirmed case of Ebola virus in Uganda. Local and international media continue to report additional suspected cases of Ebola. The Ugandan Ministry of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and international partners are monitoring and responding to the situation. As of August 5, 2012, there are a total of 52 cases associated with the outbreak, of which 16 have died. There are currently 36 people hospitalized in Kibaale District, of which 29 have recovered and have been moved to a convalescent ward. Of the total cases, six cases of Ebola virus have been confirmed by laboratory testing. At this time, the cases appear to be centered in Nyamarunda Sub County, Kibaale district. One probable case was transported from Kibaale district to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, where she subsequently died on July 22, 2012. Though suspect cases have been reported from a number of districts, all tests, to date, from these other districts have been negative.
In order to control the spread of the Ebola virus, the U.S. Government is collaborating with teams from the Ministry of Health and international partners to identify individuals who have been in contact with the people suspected or confirmed to have Ebola and obtain samples from those who had contact with victims. This includes those exposed in Kibaale as well as those potentially exposed at Kampala’s Mulago Hospital. The 7 Mulago health workers under observation in Kampala are not showing symptoms of Ebola.
Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids (blood, urine, saliva, etc.) of an infected person or the body of an infected person who has died, or by direct contact with items (bedding, clothing) contaminated with bodily fluids.
In addition to the information on protecting yourself from the Ebola virus provided in the July 28 Emergency Message, the CDC has released an Outbreak Notice and Advisory on the current Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda, available here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/outbreak-notice/ebola-uganda-2012.htm. http://kampala.usembassy.gov/emergency_8072013.html
