Warden Announcements
Hemorrhagic fever in Central Uganda
May 14, 2011
On May 14, 2011, the Uganda Ministry of Health confirmed that a 12-year-old girl who died on May 6 at Bombo Military Hospital, Luwero District (one hour north of Kampala) was infected with the Ebola virus.The Ministry of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and international partners are investigating the case to determine the extent of the outbreak and if additional cases are present. As of now, there are no additional cases.
Ebola is a deadly disease but is preventable. A person suffering from Ebola presents with sudden onset of high fever with any of the following: headache, vomits blood, has joint and muscle pains, bleeds through the body openings (eyes, nose, gums, ears, anus) and has reduced urine. Ebola disease can only be spread through direct contact with body fluids like saliva, urine or blood of an infected person 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 high risk of getting infected.
The U.S. Mission in Kampala and the CDC office in Uganda recommend that U.S. citizens working, residing and traveling in central Uganda avoid contact with individuals exhibiting the symptoms described above until further information becomes available.
To minimize the risk of contracting Ebola, avoid direct contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, vomitus, urine, and stool) by wearing protective materials like gloves, masks and gowns. Also avoid communal washing of hands during funerals and any other public gatherings.
For more information on Ebola hemorrhagic fever, please visit the following websites:
The U.S. Mission in Kampala will post any additional info as it becomes available.
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest security information. You should keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date, including your current phone number and a current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Uganda and the Worldwide Caution, both located on the Department of State’s web site. Up-to-date information on safety and security is available toll-free at 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers from outside the United States and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The U.S. Embassy in Kampala is located at 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala, Uganda, Telephone: 256-414-259-791 or 256-414-306-001, Facsimile: 256-414-258-451.