Uganda confirms first Ebola death amid new outbreak

Authorities are tracing at least 44 contacts, including 30 health workers, to contain the contagious virus.

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Uganda’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the capital, Kampala, following the death of a 32-year-old nurse. This marks the country’s first confirmed Ebola fatality since 2023.

The victim, who died on January 29 at Mulago National Referral Hospital, had multi-organ failure. Post-mortem samples confirmed the Sudan Ebola virus strain, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

Authorities are tracing at least 44 contacts, including 30 health workers, in an effort to contain the highly contagious virus. A vaccination drive for all identified contacts is set to begin immediately.

Health officials reassured the public that the situation remains under control and urged Ugandans to report suspected cases.

The outbreak comes as Tanzania recently declared a Marburg outbreak, a virus similar to Ebola. Rwanda, which shares a border with Uganda, has just emerged from its own Marburg outbreak.

Containing the spread in Kampala, a city of over 4 million people, poses a challenge due to its high population density and status as a transit hub for South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and beyond.

Ebola, a highly infectious haemorrhagic fever, spreads through contact with bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and bleeding.

Uganda last faced an Ebola outbreak in late 2022, which resulted in 55 deaths out of 143 cases, including six health workers. Since 2000, the country has endured nine outbreaks.

Authorities remain vigilant, employing contact tracing, laboratory testing, and emergency response measures to contain the outbreak.