Yes, Uganda is very safe to travel to amid the Ebola scare. The Ugandan government has long been known for handling even the most life-threatening disease outbreaks, including world pandemics like COVID-19, with incredible care and treatment. This is why the country registered fewer cases of such pandemics than most of its neighbours and the entire world. Therefore, in the case of the Ebola disease, the government has everything in control and has put up measures to prevent the spread and also to treat the affected people.
Although there have been two registered cases of Ebola in the entire country, and of these two cases, neither is even nationals or citizen, they have been isolated and are receiving the most advanced treatment. The two registered cases of Ebola in the country are Congolese nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The public transport means of a taxi/minibus were used to enter the country, and all the occupants of that taxi/minibus were located, tested, and quarantined together with their contacts. They all tested negative for the Ebola virus, but are still in quarantine to further study them and see that none of them develops symptoms of this virus.
Brief history of Uganda in facing Ebola
Ebola is not a new disease in the country, as it had broken out some years ago, with the recent cases being in 2022. Uganda was attacked by the Sudan Ebola virus that spread through the central region districts of Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kassanda, and Kagadi, among others. This was Sudan Ebola virus was declared an outbreak by the Uganda Ministry of Health on the 20th of September 2022. This followed a complete assessment where over 160 people were registered to have contracted the disease, and 77 people succumbed to it. About four months after it was declared an outbreak, it was entirely wiped out. By 10th January 2023, all the affected people had recovered and were declared healthy and Ebola-free.
This was possible due to the swift measures taken by the government, together with its partners, like the World Health Organization. The vigilance of the public in spotting and reporting all the affected Ebola cases to the nearest health center also helped in stopping the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.
Uganda also had a few other cases of Ebola in October 2000- December 2001 from the Sudan Ebola virus, and December 2007-January 2008, this virus started from the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you notice, all these cases were dealt with swiftly and consciously, and that is why they all lasted for very short periods.
It is also worth noting that if you notice, none of the Ebola viruses started in Uganda. All the registered cases enter the country from the neighbouring countries, especially Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is because Uganda is also always an Ebola-free nation, and this is why it is the number one destination for most tourists. Nevertheless, Uganda, through its government, has fought the Ebola virus thrown at it with extreme caution and care, with the most advanced medical facilities and highly trained physicians. Therefore, there is no need for panic or alarm.
What is the current health state in Uganda?
It is business as usual in Uganda, and there is nothing to worry about. People are continuing with their daily lives of work and travel, as there is no need to panic since the government has everything in control. The government has set out precautionary measures and standby health teams in urban towns and cities, and in the affected area, these measures have been doubled. This is not to create alarm in the public, but to be alert and prepared for anything.
As they say, prevention is better than cure, the government, through the Ministry of Health, has issued guidelines for the public to follow. These can be termed as standard operating procedures, which the public is advised to adhere to. Such guidelines include the following.
- Avoid shaking hands
- Avoid kissing or hugging
- Avoid bodily fluids, like blood or sweat
- Avoid bush meat, i.e., wild meat of monkeys, antelopes, chimpanzees, etc.
- Always wash your hands or sanitization
- Report anybody with symptoms of the Ebola virus, etc.
The Ebola virus is curable, as its symptoms are very visible and quick to notice. They start small and dry, where the victim faces symptoms like;
- High fever averagely higher than 38°C
- Body weakness or fatigue
- Constant headache
- Sore/dry throat and muscle/joint pains
The symptoms then change to wet when not treated, and here the patient is visibly in distress and experiences conditions like;
- Extreme diarrhoea
- Constant nausea/vomiting, sometimes blood
- Extreme stomach pains
- Loss of appetite
- Kidney and liver dysfunction, etc.
If medical care is not sought quickly, these symptoms can severely exacerbate or even lead to death. However, Ebola is very curable when detected, and there is no need to fear when one has contracted it. The medical terms have specialized physicians and facilities to handle all the cases. It is even simpler to avoid contracting this virus, since it spreads through physical contact and body fluids, and this is why behavioural measures are taken to prevent it from spreading.
Are the tourism destinations in Uganda safe to explore?
Yes, all the tourism destinations in the country are safe and very open to explore. All the national parks and reserves, together with other sights, are open for adventure. It is important to note that the Ebola virus in the country is not an outbreak. Therefore, all places in the country, most especially the tourism destinations, are very safe for visiting and exploring. Although this is the case, standard operating procedures are still followed as advised by the Ministry of Health.
Uganda is very safe from all sorts of epidemics and contagious diseases like the Ebola virus because such have been controlled and isolated to prevent them from spreading. This is why it is still business as usual across the entire country. Places to explore and have an epic adventure in the country include the following.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
At the climax of the adventure experience is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This the ultimate gorilla destination in the world. It is located in southwestern Uganda and offers unmatched gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences. These adventure experiences take place in its four gorilla sectors, such as Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. Over 22 habituated gorilla families are available for exploration on a daily basis. Since its establishment in 1991 and its recognition as a world heritage site in 1994 by UNESCO, Bwindi has hosted various visitors from across the world. Through conservation methods, Mountain gorillas have moved from critically endangered to endangered primate species as listed by the IUCN.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is the primate capital of the world, hosting over 2,000 chimpanzee primates. Stretching across 799 square kilometers of lush tropical forest, this park is the ideal destination for chimpanzee trekking. The park hosts the famous Ngogo chimpanzee community, which was highly noticed across the world, as it underwent a chimpanzee civil war. The park also has other attractions like birds, forest buffaloes and, elephants, and other primates, among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
When it comes to the savannah adventures, Queen Elizabeth National Park has you covered. Located in the western region of Uganda, it is the most popular destination, harboring various wildlife species. The common and highly sought-after are the four of the Big Five animals, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. The park also provides a unique adventure of encountering the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is among the notable places to add to your bucket list of adventures. It is the largest park in the country, hosting the finest wildlife species like giraffes, warthogs, hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, and four of the Big Five animals like lions, buffaloes, leopards, and elephants. These animals are coupled with the Murchison Falls, the strongest waterfall in the world, to craft the best adventure experience in the country.
When planning to come to Uganda for adventure, keep in touch with a local tour operator like Monteero Safaris to keep you updated on the current on-ground situation in the country. It is best to get information about anything about Uganda directly from the country. This is because some external sources may have inaccurate information, thereby denying you an opportunity to realize your dream.