Uganda is grappling with the resurgence of the Ebola virus, with the capital, Kampala, confirming its latest outbreak after the tragic death of a nurse at the Mulago National Referral Hospital. The health ministry reported on Thursday, January 29, 2025, the patient succumbed to the Sudan strain of the virus following weeks of unresponsive treatment.
The nurse, initially diagnosed with fever-like symptoms, sought care at several health facilities before falling gravely ill. "The patient experienced multi-organ failure and succumbed to the illness at Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29. Post-mortem samples confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (strain)," the ministry stated.
This outbreak marks the ninth since Uganda recorded its first Ebola case back in 2000. Presently, 44 contacts of the deceased nurse have been identified for tracing, with 30 being health workers exposed to the disease at the hospital where the nurse sought help.
Given the dense population of Kampala, home to over 4 million residents, contact tracing poses significant challenges. The health ministry noted, "Kampala is crowded and acts as a crossroads for traffic to neighboring countries like South Sudan, Congo, and Rwanda." Therefore, authorities are intensifying efforts to educate the public on the disease's symptoms, including severe headaches, vomiting, and bleeding.
To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, the health ministry is rolling out vaccinations for all identified contacts of the deceased nurse, which is set to commence immediately. "Vaccination of all contacts of the deceased will begin immediately," said Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health. Currently, no licensed vaccine for Sudan Ebola exists, but Uganda had received trial vaccine doses during the recent deadly outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to assist Uganda’s response efforts with $1 million from its emergency contingency fund. WHO staff will provide technical and logistical support, working closely with health authorities to establish surveillance, case management systems, and community mobilization strategies.
Despite the overt danger posed by Ebola, public response has been somewhat muted. Many Ugandans seem unaware of the severity of the outbreak, often dismissing health warnings. This indifference was observed after Uganda's recent battle with mpox, which infected over 2,000 individuals, causing 13 deaths. Yet, health experts like Dr. Julius Lutwama, deputy director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute, caution against underestimations. "Ebola is more highly infectious than monkeypox, with fatality rates reaching as high as 80%," he emphasized.
Dr. Atwine echoed these worries, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases. She remarked, "We have to control the situation, and prompt reporting is integral to our strategy." Meanwhile, the lethargy among the public continues, with some residents stating they will rely on luck rather than precautions.
Kampala resident Ntale Steven expressed his skepticism, saying, "We will leave it to God to prevent the spread. If there's an outbreak, we should get treatment when we need it, but if we have nothing to do, we must keep moving on with life."
With the government focusing on tracing and monitoring contacts of those infected, health authorities brace for complications of controlling the virus, especially with inadequate resources reported by health workers. "Our hospitals sometimes miss basic necessities like gloves and disinfection materials, complicates our response," said one health worker.
Looking forward, the Ministry of Health continues to collaborate with WHO for additional support, urging the community to observe health guidelines and remain alert for symptoms. With the specter of previous outbreaks still fresh, officials remain hopeful about leveraging lessons learned from past experiences to manage this crisis effectively.
Officials promise to maintain close surveillance, hoping to stave off infections before they escalate. The recent outbreak, albeit troubling, is met with resolve from international health partners ready to assist and local authorities striving to instill vigilance among the population.
Though new measures are being implemented, it remains uncertain whether the public will respond adequately to such warnings or if the repercussions of complacency will once again threaten Uganda's fragile healthcare system. Keeping the citizens informed and engaged is the key to overcoming this latest challenge.