The Ministry of Health has dismissed claims of a Nipah virus outbreak in Uganda, calling a viral social media video false.
In a press release issued in Kampala on February 3, 2026, the ministry said it “informs the public, partners, and the international community that a video circulating on social media alleging an outbreak of Nipah virus in Uganda is false.”
The ministry stressed that “Uganda has not registered any case or outbreak of Nipah virus.” It added that the country’s surveillance systems “remain fully functional” and that “no alerts, samples, or laboratory results suggestive of Nipah virus have been received or confirmed.”
Officials warned the public against spreading misinformation. “The public is therefore advised to disregard the circulating video and avoid sharing unverified information. Misinformation can generate unnecessary fear, cause panic, and undermine ongoing public health efforts,” the statement reads.
The ministry said it is working with partners to track any threats. “The Ministry of Health continues to work closely with national, regional, and international partners to monitor, detect, and respond to priority diseases. Any verified public health threat will be promptly communicated through the official Ministry of Health communication channels.”
Ugandans were also reassured about the country’s preparedness. The ministry said it has “strong capacity for detecting and responding to public health emergencies, built over many years through trained responders, established rapid response systems, and access to medical countermeasures.”
Health officials also shared public awareness information about the disease. According to the World Health Organization, “Nipah virus infection is a serious but rare zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans.”
The ministry explained that the virus can spread through contact with infected animals such as fruit bats, eating contaminated food, or close contact with an infected person.
People who consume fruits or juices contaminated by bats, handle infected animals, or have unprotected contact with a patient face higher risk, the statement noted.
Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. These may progress to dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, altered consciousness, and “signs of acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).”
The ministry advised the public to “avoid consuming raw date palm sap or fruits that appear bitten or contaminated by bats.”
