INTRODUCTION
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\r\n \r\n The current Ebola epidemic ravaging West Africa countries has had enormous effects not only in the affected countries but to the African continent at large. The epidemic started in Guinea in March 2014 and spread to the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and recently to Nigeria. This is a worrisome situation and Uganda has not taken this for granted. The Ministry of Health is actively preparing for any eventuality in regard to this outbreak. \r\n
STATUS IN UGANDA
\r\n \r\n Currently no single case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has so far been confirmed in Uganda. However, as a result of the country's strong vigilance and surveillance systems, one suspect case was identified at Entebbe International Airport on August 6th 2014. On a good note, samples taken from this suspect tested negative for all Ebola viruses, Marburg, Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever and Rift Valley fever viruses.
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\r\n \r\n Since July 15, a total of six alert cases have been reported and investigated for possible Ebola virus. The alerts were recorded from the districts of Kitgum, Kasese, Kampala and Wakiso. Investigations into the alerts however showed that the patients suffered from other diseases and hence not probable for Ebola.
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\r\n \r\n The Ministry of Health has so far dispatched Eight Experts to West Africa to support the efforts to control the epidemic. The experts are undertaking the following activities; surveillance, contact tracing, data management, case management, specimen collection, laboratory testing, infection control and prevention in addition to health promotion.
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\r\n \r\n CURRENT INTERVENTION
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\r\n \r\n The Ministry of Health, however, continues to strengthen its efforts to prevent a possible spread of the epidemic to Uganda through the following measures:
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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs