The Ministry of Health in Uganda has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Kampala, resulting in one reported death.
The victim, a 32-year-old male nurse, experienced symptoms such as a high fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and bleeding from multiple body sites.
He passed away from multi-organ failure on Wednesday at Mulango National Hospital, situated in the heart of the city’s central business district.
Since the first identified case back in 2000, Uganda is now experiencing its eighth recorded Ebola outbreak.
Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SUDV) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever spread through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. As one of several Ebola virus strains, it is known for causing outbreaks.
In the days leading up to his passing, the nurse visited several healthcare facilities and consulted a traditional healer before a diagnosis was confirmed.
He also visited a public hospital in Mbale, near the Kenyan border.
The ministry reported that 44 individuals who had contact with the deceased man have been identified for tracing, including 30 healthcare workers.
Specialized rapid response teams have been quickly mobilized and deployed to make concentrated efforts to effectively contain the spread of the disease.
However, contact tracing may be difficult since Kampala, a bustling city of over four million people, serves as a major hub for travel to South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and other neighboring countries.
Uganda’s last Ebola outbreak was in September 2022, which SUDV also caused. Centered in the Mubende district, it was declared over after four months.
