The Ministry of Health has urged residents of the Bunyoro sub-region, particularly communities along the shores of Lake Albert and the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to remain vigilant against Ebola despite Uganda being declared free of the disease.
Health officials say the region remains at risk because of its proximity to eastern DRC, where the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is still ongoing. Frequent cross-border movement for trade, fishing and family visits increases the possibility of imported cases if surveillance and prevention measures are relaxed.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health’s senior communications officer, said Ugandans should continue following all Ebola prevention guidelines.
“Although Uganda has been declared Ebola-free, people should not become complacent. We must continue to observe the guidelines put in place to prevent another outbreak,” Ainebyoona told Uganda Radio Network.
He said measures introduced during the outbreak, including enhanced surveillance in border districts and restrictions on unauthorized cross-border movement, remain in place as the Ministry of Health and the National Ebola Taskforce continue to monitor the situation.
Ainebyoona urged community leaders and residents, especially those living along Lake Albert, to report anyone showing symptoms consistent with Ebola to the nearest health facility without delay.
He also called on health workers and local leaders to strengthen community surveillance to ensure suspected cases are identified, investigated and isolated quickly.
Residents were further urged to report illegal border crossings from the DRC to health authorities and security agencies. Public awareness campaigns and community engagement activities will continue in border districts, he said.
According to Ainebyoona, surveillance, screening and public education remain active at border points, while security has been reinforced along major crossing routes.
Uganda was declared Ebola-free on July 28 after completing the mandatory 42-day countdown without recording a new case following the discharge of the last confirmed patient on June 16.
The outbreak was declared on May 15 after infected individuals crossed into Uganda from the DRC.
The Ministry of Health said it was Uganda’s first Ebola outbreak linked to a fully documented importation event, enabling health authorities to identify the source of infection, trace transmission chains and monitor all contacts.
The outbreak infected 20 people, including 15 Congolese nationals, four Ugandan health workers who contracted the virus while caring for patients, and one driver. Eighteen patients recovered, while two died.
The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, first identified in western Uganda in 2007. Unlike the Zaire strain of Ebola, there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, making rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing and infection prevention critical to containing its spread.
The Ministry of Health credited the successful response to rapid laboratory testing, genome sequencing, digital contact tracing, strengthened surveillance and coordinated efforts by health workers, local leaders, security agencies, development partners and communities.
Ebola virus disease spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials. Early symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain and sore throat and can progress to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, and early treatment significantly improves survival.
