The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in Kampala, Uganda, following the death of a 32-year-old male nurse.
The deceased health worker was employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital and also worked at Sayidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga.
Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, announced that the health worker initially developed fever-like symptoms before seeking treatment at multiple facilities, including Mulago National Referral Hospital, Sayidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Wakiso District, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, and a traditional healer in Mbale.
His condition worsened, presenting with high fever, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and unexplained bleeding. He succumbed to multi-organ failure on January 29, 2025, at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
“Post-mortem samples confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease,” Dr. Atwine stated. “This marks the eighth Ebola outbreak in Uganda.”
The World Health Organization ( WHO) has allocated US$ 1 million (200 billion) from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help quickly tackle the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak confirmed in Uganda on Thursday.
In their latest statement, WHO says they are readying medical supplies, including personal protective equipment to deliver to Uganda from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi.
Contact Tracing and Emergency Response
The Ministry of Health has identified 45 contacts linked to the deceased, including 30 health workers and patients from Mulago, four health workers from Sayidina Abubakar Hospital, and one family member. Efforts to trace and isolate additional contacts in Mbale are ongoing.
To contain the outbreak, the Ministry has activated the Incident Management Team and dispatched Rapid Response Teams to both Mbale and Matugga. Identified contacts will be placed under isolation, and any who develop symptoms will be transferred to a designated treatment center.
“We are prioritizing vaccination for all identified contacts and frontline health workers to curb the spread of the virus,” Dr. Atwine assured.
Precautionary Measures
The Ministry has urged health workers to maintain a high level of vigilance and adhere to strict infection prevention and control measures.
“All private clinics and healthcare providers must follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and report suspected cases immediately,” the Ministry emphasized in a statement.
Authorities have also called upon the public to take precautionary measures, including avoiding physical contact with individuals displaying Ebola symptoms, maintaining strict hand hygiene, and refraining from handling bodies of suspected Ebola victims.
“All burials of suspected and confirmed cases must be supervised by designated health teams to ensure safe and dignified procedures,” the Ministry stated.
Regional authorities, including Resident District Commissioners and Resident City Commissioners in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Mbale City, Mbale District, and Mpigi, have been instructed to activate Task Forces and report any suspected cases to the Ministry of Health.
Public Appeal
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain calm but vigilant.
“We encourage everyone to practice good hygiene, seek medical attention if they experience symptoms, and report any suspected cases to health authorities,” Dr. Atwine advised.
With proactive measures in place, the government aims to prevent further spread and manage the outbreak effectively. The Ministry will continue updating the public on further developments.