Warden Message-Outbreak of Unidentified Illness Now Confirmed as Yellow Fever in Northern Uganda

U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
Warden Message - December 28, 2010

Outbreak of Unidentified Illness Now Confirmed as Yellow Fever in Northern Uganda
After discussions with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now confirms that the unknown severe illness reported in Mission Kampala’s November 30 Warden Message is an outbreak of Yellow Fever.

Although as many as seven districts are now reporting occurrences - including two possible cases from southern Sudan- almost all of the reported severe cases (characterized by fever, vomiting and bleeding) continue to be concentrated in three districts of Northern Uganda, namely Abim (specifically Morulem sub-county), Agago (Omiya P’Chua, Adilang and Paimoi sub-counties) and Kitgum (Orum, Namokora and Kitgum Town Council).

In light of these findings, the U.S. Mission in Kampala recommends that U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Uganda avoid travel to Northern Uganda unless they have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever within the past 10 years. If vaccinated recently, do not travel to Northern Uganda for at least 10 days after receiving the vaccination. (Yellow Fever vaccinations do not take effect for 10 days.) Only U.S. government officials with Yellow Fever vaccinations are permitted to travel to the affected areas.

For more background on yellow fever, please visit the following websites:

General information:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/yellowfever/

Detailed information:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/yellow-fever.aspx

International response:
http://www.who.int/topics/yellow_fever/en/

The U.S. Embassy in Kampala also encourages U.S. citizens to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. By enrolling in this program, you will receive important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in case of an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date. Please note that it is important during enrollment, or updating of information, to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road. For after-hour emergencies, please call (256) (414) 306-001 or (256) (414) 259-791, fax (256) (414) 258-451, or email KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov.