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 girl’s transit by way of Uganda doesn’t set up that she contracted the virus there.
In a public assertion issued on Tuesday, the ministry stated preliminary data indicated that the Nigerian girl travelled to japanese Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for enterprise and handed by way of 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 stated, including that journey by way of Uganda alone was inadequate to ascertain 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 establish 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 non-public hospital within the FCT, whereas 44 shut contacts, together with healthcare staff, sufferers, caregivers and journey contacts, have been recognized.
Active cases
The Ugandan well being ministry stated it had no confirmed active Ebola cases as of the time of its assertion.
It additionally stated the Nigerian authorities had but to offer detailed details about the lady’s journey itinerary and scientific historical past, which it stated would assist information additional investigations and any crucial contact tracing.
The Ugandan well being ministry stated 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 scale back the chance of infection. It additionally pledged to offer verified updates by way of 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 international locations.
Kenya, which confirmed its first imported case in early October, reported a ninth case on Tuesday. Its well being ministry stated 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 way of 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 and not using a 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 ascertain the supply of infection and forestall additional transmission.
Ebola spreads by way of direct contact with the blood or different bodily fluids of an contaminated individual, or with contaminated supplies. Symptoms can embody fever, headache, extreme weak spot, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Health authorities have advised the general public to keep up good hand hygiene, keep away from contact with the bodily fluids of suspected cases and promptly report doable 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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