Uganda bans hugs, handshakes as two Ebola cases confirmed

Uganda has banned handshakes and hugs after confirming two Ebola cases linked to a fast-moving outbreak in neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prompting renewed regional concern and tighter surveillance measures across Africa and parts of Asia.

Health authorities said the restrictions were introduced as part of emergency preventive steps to reduce physical contact, following confirmation that the cases are associated with the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has already caused significant fatalities in the region, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, urged the public to comply with the new guidance during a press briefing.

“We are saying people must stop greeting… this [virus] relies upon physical contact,” she told a press conference.

Uganda’s health ministry has also recommended frequent handwashing, the use of alcohol-based sanitisers, and immediate reporting of symptoms such as fever, vomiting or bleeding.

One of the confirmed patients, a 59-year-old man, has died, while the second remains in isolation under medical observation, officials said. The cases are believed to be directly linked to the ongoing outbreak in eastern DRC, where authorities have reported at least 130 deaths and around 500 suspected infections.

The outbreak has strained health systems in the region, with limited access to testing kits for the Bundibugyo strain and insecurity in parts of eastern DRC complicating response efforts.

World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the situation is escalating rapidly and requires urgent global attention.

“I’m deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic,” he said.