Ugandan health officials have confirmed the country's first Ebola fatality since 2023, raising concerns about a potential outbreak in the capital, Kampala. A 32-year-old male nurse working at Mulago Hospital, the city's main referral facility, succumbed to the virus on Wednesday, authorities said.
The health ministry identified the Sudan strain of Ebola in the victim following postmortem tests. The health authorities are "in full control of the situation," said Diana Atwine, permanent secretary of the health ministry, adding that efforts were underway to trace all potential contacts of the deceased.
At least 44 individuals have been identified as possible contacts, including 30 healthcare workers and patients at Mulago Hospital. Ebola, which spreads through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials, has a high fatality rate and no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain.
The case presents a challenge for authorities, as Kampala is home to a highly mobile population of approximately four million people. The infected nurse had sought treatment at multiple locations, including a hospital outside the city and another in Mbale, in eastern Uganda, before his condition was confirmed. Officials also reported that he visited a traditional healer.
Ebola outbreaks in Uganda have historically been deadly. The country's most recent outbreak, which began in September 2022, claimed at least 55 lives before it was declared over in January 2023. The most severe epidemic of the virus occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, resulting in over 11,000 deaths.
Experts warn that swift action is necessary to prevent further spread. "Our reaction should be swift, decisive, and well-coordinated," said Dr. Emmanuel Batiibwe, a physician who played a critical role in managing Uganda's 2022 Ebola outbreak. "We now have the means to respond quickly."
The nurse's case comes amid a broader regional pattern of viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. Earlier this month, Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg disease, a close relative of Ebola, while Rwanda announced in December that it had successfully contained its own Marburg outbreak.
The origins of the current Ebola case remain unclear, and investigations into the source are ongoing. Scientists believe the virus originates from an unknown natural reservoir, with initial human infections often linked to contact with infected animals or the consumption of raw meat.
Ugandan authorities have urged the public to report any suspected cases and to avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting Ebola symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.
Uganda has battled multiple Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the Ebola River. The largest outbreak in Uganda occurred in 2000, killing hundreds. Health experts say the country has built a more robust response infrastructure over the years, but Kampala's dense population and the movement of potential contacts pose challenges in containing the virus.
