Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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The Ministry of Health has released new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for schools ahead of the reopening of the new school term, as Uganda intensifies efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain.
📸: National Institute for Public Health Uganda
According to the guidelines, schools have been directed to strengthen screening measures, enforce handwashing, monitor symptoms among learners and staff, and immediately report suspected Ebola cases to health authorities.
The Health Ministry warned that schools remain high-risk environments because of close interaction among learners, teachers, parents, and support staff, making strict observance of preventive measures critical.
Under the new directives, schools are expected to:
•Conduct daily temperature and symptom screening
•Maintain handwashing and hygiene facilities
•Isolate suspected cases immediately
Keep updated records of learners, staff, and parent contacts
•Cooperate with district Ebola surveillance teams and health officials
Authorities also advised parents and guardians to observe all public health measures while picking or dropping off children at school.
The measures follow Uganda’s confirmation of Ebola cases connected to the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) has since declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to fears of wider regional spread.
Health officials say the current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, increasing concern among regional and international health agencies.
The Ministry of Health says the new school guidelines are intended to ensure learning continues safely while minimizing the risk of Ebola transmission in education institutions across the country.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
According to the guidelines, schools have been directed to strengthen screening measures, enforce handwashing, monitor symptoms among learners and staff, and immediately report suspected Ebola cases to health authorities.
The Health Ministry warned that schools remain high-risk environments because of close interaction among learners, teachers, parents, and support staff, making strict observance of preventive measures critical.
Under the new directives, schools are expected to:
•Conduct daily temperature and symptom screening
•Maintain handwashing and hygiene facilities
•Isolate suspected cases immediately
Keep updated records of learners, staff, and parent contacts
•Cooperate with district Ebola surveillance teams and health officials
Authorities also advised parents and guardians to observe all public health measures while picking or dropping off children at school.
The measures follow Uganda’s confirmation of Ebola cases connected to the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) has since declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to fears of wider regional spread.
Health officials say the current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, increasing concern among regional and international health agencies.
The Ministry of Health says the new school guidelines are intended to ensure learning continues safely while minimizing the risk of Ebola transmission in education institutions across the country.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
