Uganda Warns Male Ebola Survivors to Avoid Sex for At Least 6 Months as Cases Rise

Health workers in DRC sanitise their gourmet after handling Ebola victims. PHOTO/ WHO

Uganda has issued a health advisory urging men who have recovered from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least six months or consistently and correctly use condoms during that period.

Health authorities warn that the virus can persist in semen long after recovery, creating a continued risk of sexual transmission even when symptoms disappear.

“Men who recover from Ebola should avoid sex for at least 6 months or use condoms consistently and correctly. This is because the virus can stay in semen even after recovery,” the ministry stated.

“Yes, a person infected with Ebola can transmit it sexually. Prevention is better than cure,” it further cautioned.

Additionally, the Ministry noted that recovery from the virus does not guarantee the complete elimination of the virus from all body fluids.

Survivors must therefore follow preventive measures, including consistent condom use and regular medical check-ups, to reduce the risk of transmission.

Also Read: Inside Ebola: How the Deadly Virus Emerged and Continues to Threaten the World

Uganda Records New Ebola Cases as Outbreak Spreads

Meanwhile, Uganda continues to grapple with a growing Ebola outbreak linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where infections have surged in recent weeks.

On Friday, Uganda confirmed two additional cases involving health workers in Kampala, raising the country’s total number of confirmed infections to nine, including one death.

The Ministry of Health said both newly confirmed patients are Congolese nationals, highlighting ongoing cross-border transmission risks.

In response, Ugandan health officials continue to scale up containment measures. They are expanding surveillance, strengthening contact tracing, and increasing community awareness efforts to prevent further infections.

Also Read: Gachagua Breaks Silence on Plan to Bring U.S. Ebola Patients to Kenya

WHO Reports Rising Infections in DRC

At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports a worsening situation in the DRC.

The agency says 906 suspected Ebola cases, including 223 suspected deaths, remain under investigation.

So far, officials have confirmed 125 cases and 17 deaths across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, signaling continued spread in eastern DRC.

Moreover, authorities stress the need for coordinated regional action due to frequent cross-border movement and the evolving nature of the outbreak.

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