Uganda’s Ministry of Health has urged the general public to stay calm and vigilant following Nigeria’s affirmation of an Ebola case, clarifying that the contaminated lady’s transit by Uganda doesn’t set up that she contracted the virus there.
In a public assertion issued on Tuesday, the ministry mentioned preliminary info indicated that the Nigerian lady travelled to jap Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for enterprise and handed by Uganda in early October with out exhibiting signs.
She reportedly developed signs after arriving in Nigeria, the place authorities have confirmed an Ebola infection.
“The location of exposure remains under investigation,” the ministry mentioned, including that journey by Uganda alone was inadequate to determine the place the infection occurred.
The clarification comes as Nigeria intensifies its response to the confirmed case within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with well being authorities starting contact tracing to determine individuals who could have been uncovered to the virus.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, confirmed the case on Tuesday. The affected person is receiving remedy in isolation at a personal hospital within the FCT, whereas 44 shut contacts, together with healthcare employees, sufferers, caregivers and journey contacts, have been recognized.
Active cases
The Ugandan well being ministry mentioned it had no confirmed active Ebola cases as of the time of its assertion.
It additionally mentioned the Nigerian authorities had but to offer detailed details about the girl’s journey itinerary and scientific historical past, which it mentioned would assist information additional investigations and any obligatory contact tracing.
The Ugandan well being ministry mentioned it was working with related businesses to strengthen screening and public well being controls at factors of entry, following the event.
It added that restricted provisions had been maintained for humanitarian and diplomatic actions.
The ministry urged residents to practise common handwashing and use sanitiser as a part of efforts to cut back the danger of infection. It additionally pledged to offer verified updates by its official communication channels.
Regional outbreak
Nigeria’s confirmed case comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus within the DRC, with infections additionally reported in different nations.
Kenya, which confirmed its first imported case in early October, reported a ninth case on Tuesday. Its well being ministry mentioned all 9 cases belonged to 1 identified cluster, with the eight surviving sufferers responding effectively to supportive care.
The first Kenyan affected person had travelled from the DRC by Uganda earlier than arriving in Nairobi. The growth has heightened regional issues in regards to the motion of the virus throughout borders.
Uganda additionally recorded Ebola infections earlier in 2026 however subsequently declared its outbreak over after finishing the required interval with no new confirmed case.
Nigeria’s present case has renewed consideration on the dangers posed by worldwide journey throughout an outbreak, as public well being authorities work to determine the supply of infection and stop additional transmission.
Ebola spreads by direct contact with the blood or different bodily fluids of an contaminated particular person, or with contaminated supplies. Symptoms can embody fever, headache, extreme weak spot, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Health authorities have advised the general public to take care of good hand hygiene, keep away from contact with the bodily fluids of suspected cases and promptly report potential publicity to public well being officers.
Investigations into the Nigerian case and the circumstances surrounding the affected person’s journey stay ongoing.
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