The Ministry of Health has advised men who recover from Ebola to avoid sexual intercourse for at least six months or consistently use condoms to prevent possible transmission of the virus.
In a public health advisory shared on its official X account, the Ministry of Health Uganda warned that the Ebola virus can remain in semen for months even after a patient has recovered and tested negative.
Health officials explained that although a person may appear healthy and no longer show symptoms, the virus can persist in certain body fluids, including semen, creating a risk of infecting sexual partners if proper precautions are not taken.
The ministry urged survivors and their partners to practice safe sex by using condoms correctly and consistently during the recommended period. Survivors were also encouraged to seek guidance and regular medical follow-up from health workers.
Medical experts say Ebola is primarily spread through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of an infected person. Symptoms commonly include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, fatigue, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
Uganda has previously experienced several Ebola outbreaks, prompting authorities to continuously strengthen public awareness campaigns, surveillance, and preventive measures aimed at containing the deadly disease.
The Ministry of Health continues to call on the public to observe hygiene measures, report suspected cases early, and avoid contact with infected persons or contaminated materials as part of efforts to prevent further spread of Ebola.
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