Uganda will quarantine all citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo for 21 days. The government will not permit travellers who have visited the Democratic Republic of Congo to use Uganda as a transit point.
Authorities have increased screening of travellers at all land border crossings and Entebbe International Airport. Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said, "All these are measures to ensure that we keep Uganda free of Ebola."
Baryomunsi noted, "We share a border with [DR Congo], where transmission continues, and our communities remain closely connected through trade, travel and family ties." More than 4,800 people died in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May.
The World Health Organization declared the Democratic Republic of Congo free of the disease in August. Uganda recorded 20 Ebola cases and 2 deaths shortly after the outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Two individuals who travelled through Uganda tested positive for Ebola in Kenya and Nigeria this month. Kenya confirmed 8 other cases of Ebola.
Jean Kaseya stated the patient in Nigeria is the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat. Kaseya also said the Kenyan patient travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo where he had business interests.
Diana Atwine stated that CCTV camera footage showed no physical interaction between the two patients. Uganda has reported no cases within its borders since the two cases were reported in Kenya and Nigeria this month.
The Bundibugyo species of Ebola is relatively rare and has no vaccine or specific treatment. Sixty people were discharged after being monitored following contact with a Kenyan Ebola patient.
