The World Health Organization (WHO) has swiftly responded to Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak by deploying an emergency medical team to support the country’s Ministry of Health. This follows the death of a health worker in Kampala, the nation’s capital, marking the eighth Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health declared the outbreak after confirming that a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital had succumbed to the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. The WHO emphasized its commitment to providing technical and logistical assistance to bolster Uganda’s response efforts.
The infected health worker, identified as the index case, initially exhibited fever-like symptoms and sought treatment from multiple healthcare facilities, including Mulago Hospital and a traditional healer, before his condition deteriorated. This has raised concerns over potential exposure and transmission within health facilities and the community at large.
Authorities have since identified and isolated 45 contacts, including 30 health workers and patients from Mulago Hospital, 11 family members of the deceased, and four health workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga. According to Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, contact tracing remains a top priority, and all identified individuals will undergo vaccination to curb further spread.
“The vaccination of all contacts of the deceased against Ebola virus disease is set to commence immediately. The available doses of the Ebola vaccine are prioritized for contacts and health workers,” Atwine announced in Kampala on Thursday.
The WHO has underscored the importance of revitalizing a robust surveillance system to contain the outbreak. Key response measures include case management, community engagement, and risk communication to educate the public about symptoms and preventive actions.
Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, body pain, and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. According to WHO, the fatality rate for those infected varies between 50% and 89%, depending on the viral subtype.
Uganda has faced multiple Ebola outbreaks in the past, often linked to cross-border transmission from neighboring countries. The Sudan strain, responsible for the current outbreak, differs from the Zaire strain, for which effective vaccines exist. This presents a significant challenge in controlling the virus.
As the Ugandan government and international health bodies collaborate to mitigate the outbreak, WHO has called for increased vigilance and adherence to preventive measures. Further updates are expected as response efforts intensify to contain the spread and protect public health.
