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.

The U.S. Embassy in Kampala encourages U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for the most up-to-date safety and security information.  Keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date by maintaining your current phone numbers and email addresses where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

You can stay in touch and get updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Kampala website.  You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.  Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well, or you can download our free Smart Traveler IPhone App for travel information at your fingertips.  Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or a regular toll line at-1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). 

The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road.  Contact information for the U.S. Embassy in Kampala is:  phone number +256 (0) (414) 306 001 or +256 (0) (414) 259 791, fax +256 (0) (414) 258 451, and email KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov.