JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Clarification on alleged Ebola death in Kabarole District.

Kampala, 28 November, 2018 – Following media stories on the alleged suspected Ebola
death in Kabarole District, the Ministry of Health together with the World Health
Organization (WHO) wish to update the public as follows:

1. On 26th November 2018, an alert case was received at Fort Portal Regional Referral
Hospital from Bundibugyo district.

2. The 38year old male alert case is one of the many alert cases received in different
health facilities as a result of the heightened surveillance a long all boarder districts.

3. Blood samples were taken off the suspect and sent to Uganda Virus Research
Institute (UVRI) for further analysis.

4. Results from the UVRI indicate that the patient was negative by PCR for Ebola and
other Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. The districts are aware of these results.

5. Any persons that present with any known symptoms of Ebola is taken on as an alert
case until thorough lab investigations are done.

Currently, a number of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparatory activities are going on across
all high risk districts and these include; coordination of activities; health facility and
community-based EVD surveillance, collection and testing of blood samples from alert cases,
capacity building for Infection, Prevention and Control, clinical management, psycho-social
care and for safe and dignified burials. Risk communication, community engagement and
cross-border surveillance are also going on in many districts.

In the same vein, a total of 1,316 front line and healthcare workers in three (3) districts have
been vaccinated against EVD to protect these cadre of people against the deadly disease.

The Ministry of Health together with the WHO country office wish to reiterate that there is
no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda, and are working tirelessly to keep the
country safe from the deadly disease.

For more information, please contact:

Vivian Serwanjja, Public Relations Officer- Ministry of Health – Email:

vivianserwanjja@gmail.com, Tel: 0772979033

Sensasi Benjamin, Health Promotion and Communication Advisor- WHO Country Office
Uganda- Email- Sensasib@who.int, Tel 0772507906

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Mwebembezi Edmond, Public Information Officer- WHO-Country Office Uganda Email:
Mwebembezie@who.int, Tel: 0786-497073