Uganda has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak. So far, one case of Sudan Ebola disease has been confirmed in a nurse at Mulago Referral Hospital in Kamapala who died on 29 January 2025. The source of acquisition is unknown, investigations are ongoing. No other health workers or patients have shown symptoms of the disease. A total of 45 contacts, including health workers and family members of the confirmed case (deceased) have been identified and are currently under close monitoring. The identification of the case in a densely populated urban area requires rapid and intense response.
Follow media and official reports.
Travellers are usually at low risk of contracting Ebola if you follow these precautions:
- Avoid contact with infected/deceased persons or their body fluids, and all wild animals, alive or dead.
- Avoid attending funerals
- Avoid handling or eating bush/game meat.
- Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Wash hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water (or use a sanitizer if soap is not available).
- Practice safe sex (using barrier contraception).
Vaccination against Ebola is not available to travelers. For humanitarian missions, it is recommended to consult a travel medicine specialist to discuss the possibilities of vaccination (available at HUG Geneva).
In case of symptoms of illness (fever >38° C, headache, diarrhea, bleeding symptoms, etc.) during travel until 21 days after being in the affected area:
- Isolate yourself and immediately contact the in-country hotline by phone or contact a tropical institute or university hospital infectious disease unit.
- Always state that you may have had a possible exposure to Ebola. Incubation period: 2-21 days. ECDC case definition of a suspected Ebola case.