KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Ministry of Health has confirmed that there is no outbreak of the Nipah virus in Uganda, debunking a widely circulated and alarming social media video that had falsely alleged such an emergency.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement was issued in a press statement released on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, signed by Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services on behalf of the ministry.
Dr. Charles Olaro confirmed that Uganda has not registered a single case of the Nipah virus, and the alarming claims circulating online are entirely unfounded.
He emphasized that the country’s surveillance systems, including event-based monitoring, community reporting structures, and the national laboratory network, are fully operational.
Dr. Olaro clarified that no alerts, samples, or laboratory results for the Nipah virus have been received or confirmed, urging the public to disregard the circulating video.
“The public is advised to disregard the circulating video and avoid sharing unverified information. Misinformation can generate unnecessary fear, cause panic, and undermine our ongoing public health efforts,” Dr. Olaro stated.
The Ministry reassured Ugandans and the international community that it maintains strong capabilities to detect and respond to public health emergencies, bolstered by trained rapid response teams, established systems, and available medical countermeasures.
Nipah virus disease, a rare but serious zoonotic illness transmitted from animals to humans, is caused by the Nipah virus, which is typically found in fruit bats.
A recent outbreak of Nipah virus disease was reported in India, specifically in the state of West Bengal, where two healthcare workers tested positive for the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the risk of further spread low, but several countries in Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, have implemented airport screening measures as a precaution.
The WHO says Nipah virus infection can occur through contact with infected animals like fruit bats, consuming contaminated food or drink, or close contact with an infected person.
Early symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat, which can progress to more severe conditions such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and acute encephalitis.
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