The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed an emergency medical team to assist Uganda&rsquo;s health authorities&nbsp;after the nation confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in its capital, Kampala. The confirmation followed the death of a 32-year-old male nurse at the Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29. This marks the country&rsquo;s ninth Ebola outbreak since the first recorded case in 2000.
The nurse, who had initially sought treatment at several healthcare facilities and from a traditional healer after developing fever-like symptoms, died from the Sudan strain of Ebola, as confirmed by post-mortem tests. The patient experienced multi-organ failure before succumbing to the virus.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health has listed 45 individuals, including 30 health workers and family members, as contacts of the deceased. These individuals are being monitored and isolated as part of efforts to contain the outbreak. However, the large population and dense urban setting of Kampala, home to over 4 million people, pose significant challenges for effective contact tracing.
WHO is providing logistical and technical support and has allocated $1 million from its contingency fund to help combat the outbreak. It is also working with vaccine developers to distribute trial vaccines.
Vaccination efforts will begin immediately for all identified contacts of the deceased, including health workers. While there is no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain of Ebola, Uganda had received trial vaccine doses during the previous outbreak in 2022, which killed 55 of 143 infected individuals.
Ebola, a highly contagious viral disease, is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and bleeding. The fatality rate for Ebola varies between 50% and 89%, depending on the strain.
The outbreak follows a recent Marburg virus outbreak in neighboring Tanzania and an ongoing threat in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the region&rsquo;s vulnerability to such diseases. Authorities are continuing to monitor and respond to the situation in collaboration with global health partners.
(With agency input)

Health workers tend to an Ebola patient (File photo)

New Ebola case in capital Kampala killed 32-year-old nurse, African nation confirms

WHO Team to Help Uganda in Ebola Outbreak

New Ebola case in capital Kampala killed 32-year-old nurse, African nation confirms

January 31, 2025 | 19:18 IST