...
Ebola has been confirmed in Uganda after at least six people died in Mubende after showing signs of the deadly virus.
The dead include: a female aged 10 months old from Kilwani village, Kiruma who died on September 11 from St. Florence medical Clinic; a male aged 32 years enrolled nurse at St. Florence Medical Clinic in Madudu who passed on September 15 from Cure medical clinic in Mubende town and a female aged 43 years from Bulega, Kiruma who died on died on September 1 at Mubende Referal hospital.
Others are: a female aged 10 months old from Bulega who passed on September 12 from Kiboga district but buried in Bulenga; a person aged 56 years old from Bulega in Kiruma who passed on September 13 and a female aged two years from Bulenga Village, Kakenzi parish in Madudu who died on September 15.
In a statemenent from the Mubende Regional Refferal Hospital director, Dr Alex Adema, it is suspected that the ebola cases are of the Sudan variant following tests at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).
“The clinical team took off samples for testing at UVRI. Results confirmed that the patient was positive for the Ebola-Sudan strain,” the statement reads in part.
Speaking to the press this morning, 20th September 2022, the health minister said that the victim had exhibited symptoms before succumbing to the disease.
It is said that eight people with suspected symptoms are receiving medical care, and that it is sending staff to the affected area.
Uganda last reported an outbreak of the strain in 2012.
“Thanks to its [Uganda] expertise, action has been taken to quickly detect the virus and we can bank on this knowledge to halt the spread of infections,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti – WHO regional director for Africa.
This will is the fifth time Uganda is reporting an ebola outbreak. Uganda last had an ebola outbreak in 2018. The deadliest was in 2000 were 224 deaths were reported. Others were in 2014 and 2017.
