The World Health Organization (WHO) has allocated $1 million to support Uganda’s efforts to contain a new outbreak of the Sudan virus disease, a strain of the Ebola virus. This development comes after a 32-year-old male nurse in Kampala tested positive for the virus and later succumbed to it.
In response to the outbreak, WHO is deploying senior public health experts and mobilizing staff to support key outbreak response measures. The organization is also readying medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, to deliver to Uganda.
The Sudan virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness with case fatality rates ranging from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. Although there are no licensed vaccines or treatments for the Sudan virus, early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, praised Uganda’s prompt declaration of the outbreak and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to effectively respond to the crisis. The WHO Representative in Uganda, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, also emphasized the need for swift action to save lives and halt the outbreak.
This outbreak marks Uganda’s eighth recorded Ebola outbreak since 2000, with the most recent one occurring in 2022.
