Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the health authorities in the Republic of Uganda declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Sudan ebolavirus. From the beginning of the outbreak until October 19, a total of 64 cases of this disease were reported (including 25 deaths). Most cases were reported from Mubende District (40 cases); however, cases have also been reported in Bunyangabu, Kagadi, Kassanda, and Kyegegwa districts.
Given the small scale of the outbreak and the fact that the outbreak has not spread in densely populated areas, the risk of infection for tourists is assessed by ECDC as very low if precautions are taken. At present, people traveling to the areas where the outbreak of the disease is reported are recommended:
• To avoid direct contact with patients or those who have died from this disease, with their blood or body fluids;
• To avoid contact with wild animals, the meat of wild animals should not be consumed;
• To wash and peel fruits and vegetables before consumption;
• To avoid sites that may be roosting habitat for bats (cellars, abandoned buildings, mines);
• To avoid unprotected sex;
• To wash your hands often with soap or use hand antiseptic.
We also remind that the Ebola virus disease is caused by the ebolavirus, a member of the Filoviridae virus family. Four species within the ebolavirus genus can cause fatal human disease, including Zaire ebolavirus, Taï Forest ebolavirus, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, and Sudan ebolavirus. All of them are found in Africa.
The Ebola virus spreads easily during direct contact through body fluids (blood, secretions, semen, organs, etc.) of an infected or dead person, or contaminated objects (clothes, needles, etc.). The greatest risk of infection is a close contact with a patient who vomits, has diarrhea, or bleeds. Also, people can be infected through direct contact with the infected animals (such as monkeys, chimpanzees, forest antelopes, bats), dead or alive, including their meet.
The incubation period of this disease is 2-21 days. Typically, the disease begins suddenly, with fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and weakness. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea with watery stools, sometimes mixed with blood and mucus. As the disease progresses, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome can affect various organ systems, and internal and external bleeding may occur.
Last updated: 02-12-2022
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