Uganda discharges 60 contacts of Kenya's first Ebola case after 21-day monitoring

Uganda has discharged all 60 contacts of Kenya's first Ebola case after they completed 21 days of monitoring without symptoms or a positive test. Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi announced this on 25 October at a briefing at the Uganda Media Centre.

The 60 were staff at points of entry and exit, hotel staff and transport operators. Health teams found them by reconstructing the patient's movements through Uganda.

Baryomunsi said Uganda has no active Ebola cases. The country confirmed its Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak on 15 May, declared it over on 28 July and has recorded no new case since. He said continued transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and cross-border travel mean Uganda must stay vigilant, and that no cases have been confirmed in Kasese or other districts bordering the DRC.

At the same briefing the minister announced that Ugandan citizens returning home with recent travel to the DRC will be quarantined for 21 days, Reuters reported. Screening has been stepped up at Entebbe International Airport, at land border crossings and at designated road checkpoints. Travellers entering by air, land or water must complete a passenger locator form so they can be followed up.

Baryomunsi urged the public to report suspected Ebola symptoms to health authorities. He also said Uganda would work with Kenya and the DRC to curb the virus.

Kenya's first Ebola case was a Kenyan man who had been living in the DRC; he died in a Nairobi hospital on 5 October.