Uganda Confirms Sudan Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Kampala

The confirmed case, identified as the index case, was a 32-year-old male nurse employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The patient initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at multiple health facilities, including: Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga, Wakiso District Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Mbale City

Jan 30, 2025 - 16:22
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Uganda Confirms Sudan Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Kampala
Dr. Diana Atwine

Kampala, Uganda – January 30, 2025 –

The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) in Kampala following laboratory confirmation from three national reference laboratories: the Central Public Health Laboratory in Kampala, the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, and Makerere University. According to Dr. Diana Atwine , the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, this marks the eighth recorded Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

The confirmed case, identified as the index case, was a 32-year-old male nurse employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The patient initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at multiple health facilities, including:

Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala

Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga, Wakiso District 

Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Mbale City

A traditional healer

His symptoms, which included a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing, progressed to unexplained bleeding from multiple body sites. The patient developed multi-organ failure and succumbed to the illness at Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29, 2025. Post-mortem samples confirmed that he was infected with Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.

At present, no other healthcare worker or patient on the ward has exhibited symptoms of Ebola.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral illness transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects. It spreads through:

Human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with:

Blood or body fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from Ebola Contaminated objects such as medical equipment or personal items exposed to infected body fluids

Animal-to-human transmission, where individuals come into close contact with blood, secretions, organs, or bodily fluids of infected wild animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, or porcupines.

A suspected Ebola case may present with any of the following symptoms:

Sudden onset fever

Fatigue

Chest pain

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Unexplained bleeding

Yellowing of the eyes

Restlessness Headache

In later stages, bleeding manifestations often appear, making it crucial for early detection and management.

Government Response and Interventions

The Ministry of Health has swiftly implemented a series of measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread. These include:

Incident Management and Contact Tracing

The Incident Management Team has been activated, and Rapid Response Teams have been dispatched to affected areas, including Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga.

The Ministry has identified 45 contacts, including: 30 health workers and patients from Mulago National Referral Hospital

11 family members of the deceased

4 health workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital

Health teams are currently in Mbale conducting additional contact tracing.

Isolation and Containment Measures

Facilities have been designated for isolating all listed contacts. Any contact who develops symptoms will be transferred to a dedicated isolation center for further management.

The Ministry is organizing a dignified burial for the deceased to prevent further transmission. 

Vaccination Efforts 

The Ministry of Health is prioritizing vaccination of all contacts of the deceased against Ebola Virus Disease.

Available Ebola vaccine doses will be administered first to contacts and healthcare workers. 

Regional Emergency Preparedness

The epidemiological team has been dispatched to activate Regional Emergency Operation Centers in Kampala and Mbale to coordinate outbreak response.

Calls for Vigilance and Public Cooperation

The Ministry of Health has issued appeals to various stakeholders to enhance the containment efforts. To Health Workers:

Maintain a high index of suspicion for suspected Ebola cases.

Strictly adhere to infection prevention and control measures to prevent exposure.

Private clinics and healthcare providers must follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and promptly report suspected cases.

Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Mbale City, Mbale District, and Mpigi have been instructed to activate their Ebola Task Forces.

These leaders must inform the Ministry of Health immediately about any suspected cases in their jurisdictions.

To the General Public:

Avoid physical contact with individuals exhibiting Ebola symptoms.

Maintain strict hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizers.

Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids, including blood, sweat, saliva, vomit, urine, and stool from suspected Ebola patients.

Do not handle or bury dead bodies of individuals suspected to have died from Ebola—only trained medical teams should conduct burials.

Public places such as markets, schools, and transport hubs are advised to implement mandatory handwashing stations and encourage use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. 

Uganda’s Commitment to Containing the Outbreak

The Government of Uganda reassures the public that the Ministry of Health is taking all necessary measures to contain the outbreak and protect lives.

For suspected cases, citizens are urged to contact the Ministry of Health’s toll-free hotline at 0800-100-066 or send a free SMS to 6767 for immediate assistance.

The Ministry of Health will continue to provide timely updates on the outbreak.

John Kusolo John Kusolo is a Ugandan Journalist, Sport fanatic, Tourist, Pastor, and Motivational Speaker. * Journalist: He works for Nile Chronicles News, NCN. * Passion: Known for his dedication to his work and strong motivation. * Ambitious: He sets goals for himself and strives to achieve them. * Enjoys challenges: He thrives in challenging situations.