Rutgers Statement Regarding Ebola Virus in Uganda

October 28, 2022

Dear Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Community, 

Rutgers University is in close contact with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH) and is monitoring and assessing up-to-date information and recommendations from the NJ DOH and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the current Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda. 

This guidance addresses travel to and visits from Ebola-affected regions with respect to students, faculty, staff, and other employees of Rutgers. 

Travel to Ebola-Affected Regions 

The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice due to Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda, currently present in the following districts: Mubende, Kassanda, Kyegegwa, Kagadi, and Bunyangabu. The CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to these regions at this time. This outbreak has been linked to the Sudan ebolavirus. No vaccines or therapeutics have been approved for prevention or treatment of the Sudan ebolavirus.

Travelers to Uganda and neighboring areas should avoid contact with sick people and avoid contact with blood or body fluids from all people. Travelers should avoid contact with dead bodies, including participating in funeral or burial rituals.

Travel for personal reasons to the above-listed districts is strongly discouraged. Personal travel is at your own risk. Be aware that evacuation may not be feasible. 

Travel from Ebola-Affected Regions 

All travelers entering the U.S. who have visited Uganda within the last 21 days are being screened at the airports. Travelers should isolate immediately if they develop signs and symptoms like fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or for up to 21 days after travel. They should also call their personal physician and inform them of their symptoms and that they recently returned from a region with an Ebola outbreak. Travelers who develop symptoms after arriving in the United States should also not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares, and they should not travel while sick. They can also contact their local health department to ask where to go for medical care.

All students, faculty, staff, and other employees who have visited Uganda within the last 21 days should consult CDC Guidance and monitor themselves for the above symptoms after their return.

Students with additional questions or concerns may contact Student Health, and faculty and staff may contact Occupational Health at the numbers below:

Employees: 

• Rutgers–New Brunswick, Rutgers–Newark, and Rutgers–Camden: 848-932-8254
• RBHS–Newark: 973-972-2900 
• RBHS–New Brunswick/Piscataway and University Correctional Health Care: 848-445-6200 
• RWJMS Faculty and Staff: 732-235-6559 

Students:

• Rutgers–New Brunswick Student Health: 848-932-7402 
• Rutgers–Camden Student Health: 856-225-6005 
• Rutgers–Newark Student Health: 973-353-5232 
• RBHS–Newark Student Health: 973-972-8219 
• RBHS–New Brunswick/Piscataway Student Health: 732-235-5160 

Stay healthy and safe,

Milind Shah, MD, MPH
Director, Rutgers Occupational Health Department 

Noa'a Shimoni, MD, MPH
Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellness, Rutgers University 

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University