Uganda Says It Has No Active Ebola Cases After Abuja Infection

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has said the country has no confirmed active Ebola cases, following Nigeria’s confirmation of an infection in a woman who travelled through Uganda before arriving in Abuja.

The ministry said the woman’s journey through the country did not establish where she contracted the virus, stressing that the location of exposure remained under investigation.

According to preliminary information cited by Ugandan authorities, the woman travelled to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for business and passed through Uganda in early October without showing symptoms.

“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here,” the ministry said.

Uganda seeks travel and clinical details

The ministry said it was awaiting detailed information from Nigeria about the patient’s itinerary and clinical history to support investigations and contact tracing.

It urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, while announcing stronger screening and public health measures at points of entry, alongside provisions for essential humanitarian and diplomatic movements.

Uganda’s clarification concerns the possible source of exposure; it does not dispute Nigeria’s confirmation of the infection.

Nigeria traces 44 contacts

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the confirmed case on Tuesday, October 20.

The woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11. She is receiving medical care in isolation.

Authorities have identified 44 contacts and begun tracing people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, caregivers, patients and travel contacts.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the FCT Health Services Secretariat are coordinating the response.

Kenya reports nine infections

Meanwhile, Kenya’s confirmed Ebola cases have risen to nine, according to an update reported on October 20, superseding the earlier figure of eight.

The developments have increased regional attention on surveillance, early detection and contact tracing as health authorities investigate travel-linked infections.