Uganda is on high alert after confirming a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in Kampala, resulting in one death. The victim, a 32-year-old male nurse, showed symptoms like high fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and bleeding from multiple body sites before succumbing to multi-organ failure.
This marks Uganda’s eighth recorded Ebola outbreak since 2000. The Sudan Ebola Virus Disease is highly infectious and easily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. In the days leading up to his death, the nurse visited multiple health facilities and a traditional healer, increasing the risk of transmission.
The health ministry has identified 44 contacts, including 30 healthcare workers, for tracing. Rapid response teams are working to contain the disease, but contact tracing may be challenging due to Kampala’s large population and its role as a travel hub to neighboring countries.
Uganda’s last Ebola outbreak occurred in September 2022, caused by the same Sudan variant, and was declared over after four months. Unfortunately, there is no approved vaccine for this particular strain, and the World Health Organization estimates that Ebola kills five in every 10 infected individuals.
