The Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) have said that Uganda is still under Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) threat.
In a joint press statement issued on July 24, 2019, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng together with WHO Country Representative Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldermariam said 42 days have elapsed ever since the death of the Ebola patient which occurred in Kasese District.
“This is the period recommended by WHO to monitor the situation for any EVD cases that may arise out of the contacts with confirmed case. If no cases are detected within that time, the event or outbreak is deemed contained in the outbreak area,” the statement reads in parts.
“There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Kasese district or in any other part of the country. However, the outbreak continues to escalate in neigbouring Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] with which Uganda shares a long and porous border. This therefore means Uganda is still under EVD threat and the Ministry of Health remains on high alert for any eventualities.”
Meanwhile, all travelers from DRC are being screened at the Health desk at Entebbe International Airport and at all border entry points in high-risk districts.
According to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, Movements of people from one place to another within the country and between countries are not restricted during disease outbreaks.
“The Ministry of Health reiterates that Uganda is safe and all national and international travelers are free to travel to and within the country. All places of tourists attraction including national parks in Western Uganda are safe, open and secure for both local and international tourists,” reads the document,” the statement reads.
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