Kampala, Uganda — Uganda's Ministry of Health has confirmed a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in its capital, Kampala, following the death of a nurse. The victim, a 32-year-old male nurse employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital, succumbed to the disease after experiencing multi-organ failure. This represents the first recorded death since the last outbreak concluded in January 2023.

The patient developed symptoms including high fever, vomiting, and bleeding. Initially seeking treatment at various healthcare facilities, the diagnosis was confirmed post-mortem, revealing he had contracted the Sudan strain of Ebola. “Health authorities are in full control of the situation,” asserted Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary of the health ministry.

In a swift response, the ministry has identified at least 44 contacts of the deceased, including 30 healthcare workers. Tracing these contacts will be crucial, especially since Kampala is a densely populated city with over four million residents, making containment efforts more challenging.

Despite the historical use of effective public health measures in previous outbreaks, the sudden emergence of this strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines, poses significant challenges. The last major outbreak in Uganda, caused by the same strain, resulted in 55 fatalities. Comparatively, the more common Zaire strain has vaccines available but remains distinct from this risk.

The health ministry has initiated a vaccination drive to protect those exposed, reflecting a proactive approach toward preventing further spreading of the virus. Uganda has documented multiple outbreaks of Ebola since 2000, emphasizing the need for vigilant healthcare practices.

Additionally, nearby Tanzania has recently reported cases of the related Marburg disease, raising alarm and inter-regional health concerns. Public health authorities urge residents to remain alert and report any suspected cases as part of the ongoing efforts to control this outbreak Source.

For further details, visit the original reports on Reuters, BBC, and Al Jazeera.