Uganda has restricted travelers with a history of visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo from transiting through the country following the detection of a Bundibugyo Ebola virus case in Nigeria, the country’s health ministry said in a statement last weekend.
The bar comes amid an investigation into a female traveller who arrived Nigeria from Uganda and later tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus disease in the West African country.
As part of the additional precautions, the East African country has also reinstated traveller locator forms for all incoming travellers, regardless of their country of origin, to facilitate contact tracing where necessary.
The ministry said infection prevention and control measures have also been reinforced at all points of entry and exit, as well as at health facilities, while surveillance continues across the country.
Another traveler with travel history to the DRC also transited through Uganda and turned positive when he reached Kenya in early October.
The ministry warned that people entering Uganda through unauthorised routes would face prosecution for violating public health requirements.
“The ministry requests communities to remain vigilant and report suspected unauthorised border crossings to the relevant authorities to facilitate screening and necessary public health follow-up,” the statement said.
It also noted that Uganda remains Ebola-free.
“Available information indicates that the traveller did not exhibit symptoms at the time of departure from Uganda. However, investigations are continuing to establish the timing of symptom onset and the circumstances surrounding her infection,” the ministry noted.
MG/as/APA