Uganda bans hugs and handshakes as two cases of Ebola are confirmed

Public urged to follow preventive measures following a major outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo

Uganda has banned handshakes and hugs after two cases of Ebola were confirmed in the country amid a major outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, on Tuesday urged the public to follow preventive measures including the temporary ban on handshakes, hugging and unnecessary physical contact.

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

Uganda’s health ministry has also advised the public to wash their hands with soap, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers and report any symptoms including fever, vomiting or bleeding immediately.

The two cases confirmed in Uganda are linked to the outbreak in the DRC, where 130 people have died and at least 500 people are believed to have been…