Ebola Outbreak in Bundibugyo

Warden Message
Kampala, Uganda
December 3, 2007

On November 29, 2007 the Ugandan Ministry of Health reported that a previously unidentified illness that has infected and killed a number of people in Bundibugyo District, western Uganda has been confirmed as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever.  The Ministry of Health has dispatched additional personnel to the district to assist in containing the outbreak, and officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the situation and providing assistance to the Ugandan Government.  Ebola symptoms include: fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal colic – with or without vomiting, and cough.

Americans living in or who must travel to Bundibugyo District should be extremely careful and intensify personal health precautions at this time to avoid contracting this illness.  Americans should also avoid contact with individuals who may have been in contact with the illness.  Additional information about the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, symptoms, and steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of infection may be obtained on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov and the WHO website at http://www.who.int/topics/haemorrhagic_fevers_viral/en/.

American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Kampala at (256) (0) (414) 360 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791.  In the case of an emergency outside business hours, or during any suspension of public services, American citizens may reach the embassy duty officer at the same numbers.

American citizens are advised to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Embassy in Kampala.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road.  The phone number is (256) (0) (414) 360 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791, fax (256) (0) (414) 258 451, email: KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov, and travel registration website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. 

For the latest security information, Americans living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at: http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)