MINISTRY OF HEALTH CONFIRMS UGANDA ZIKA VIRUS FREE

The ministry of Health in Uganda along with the US Center for disease control confirmed Uganda as being Zika virus free. Zika Virus is derives its name from the Zika Forest, a tropical rainforest covering an area of about 0.25Km², found in Entebbe, Uganda. It is believed that the virus originated from the forest in 1947 and later spread to the rest of the world. However, it is currently restricted from visiting and has the Uganda Virus Research institute installed to research about tiger mosquitoes, which are primarily the cause of the virus. According to the Ministry of health, the virus is currently not in Africa, but ravaging the communities of South America. Contrary to International press reports, news had it that Uganda is currently under the virus attack, however much it is the origin of the Virus; the virus doesn’t exist anymore in the Country. There have not been any reports of the Virus from any tourist undertaking Safaris in Uganda.

Uganda is the “Pearl of Africa”, characterized by a rich bio diversity of wildlife and plant species; brilliant eco system with magnificent landscape and water bodies such as lakes, rivers and wetlands. Located in East Africa, Uganda is one of the blessed countries crossed by the equator, making its climate favorable to both vegetation growth and human settlement.

Uganda has seen its tourism sector grow each year, with current statistics showing that it receives more than 1 million tourists per year. There are a number of tour operators that arrange safaris in Uganda for a myriad of travelers from all over the world. Uganda is famously known for being the prime gorilla tracking safari destination in the whole world with the highest concentration of Mountain Gorillas population in the world. However, the main attractions of Uganda are the 10 National Parks which are spread out to all the regions of the country.  They are a habitant to wildlife and plant species such as Lions, elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, buffaloes and many others; as well as having a magnificent eco system characterized by a wonderful landscape with lakes and rivers. Uganda has the largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria; which is literally the source of the longest River in the world, River Nile.

Common symptoms of Zika virus infection include mild headaches, joint pains, conjunctivitis, maculopapular rash and fever. However, it symptoms can be treated with resting, drinking lots of fluids and consumption of paracetamol.