Officials in Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH) have dismissed claims of a confirmed Nipah virus case in the country, following reports of an outbreak in India.
The Ministry’s statement comes after several viral TikTok videos claimed that Uganda had recorded deaths from the virus, which can be transmitted through contaminated food or direct contact with infected persons.
One video even alleged a looming lockdown in Jinja and Kasese districts.
Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at MOH, says the information is being spread by lay people aiming to create unnecessary panic, emphasizing that Uganda has not recorded any case.
In India, the outbreak was confirmed after two healthcare workers in West Bengal tested positive for the rare but lethal virus in late December. Dr. Kyabayinze notes that Uganda has an international intelligence system monitoring global health events and has not received any alerts suggesting the virus has spread beyond India.
By URN
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