The Ministry of Health in Uganda has confirmed the outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) following the death of a male patient at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, stated that the victim was admitted after developing severe symptoms, including high fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Over a span of five days, his condition worsened, leading to unexplained bleeding from multiple sites of his body.
Despite ongoing medical efforts, the patient succumbed to multi-organ failure and passed away on January 29, 2025. Post-mortem samples taken from the deceased confirmed the presence of the Sudan Ebola Virus.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry has activated a comprehensive health response. An Incident Management Team, along with Rapid Response Teams, has been deployed to Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga. To date, 44 individuals who had close contact with the deceased have been identified. These include 30 healthcare workers and patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital, as well as 11 family members and four staff members at Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital.
As part of the containment efforts, a vaccination campaign will be launched immediately for those identified as contacts of the deceased. The Ministry has also emphasized that the body of the deceased will undergo a safe and dignified burial in accordance with strict health protocols to prevent further spread.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain calm and follow recommended health precautions. These include practicing good hygiene, avoiding direct contact with suspected Ebola patients or their belongings, and seeking prompt medical attention if flu-like symptoms appear.
Sudan Ebola Virus Disease is a highly contagious and often fatal illness caused by the Sudan virus, one of the six known species of Ebolavirus. Uganda’s previous encounter with this virus in 2000 was one of the deadliest, resulting in 224 deaths out of 425 reported cases.
The Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely and assures the public that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent further spread of the virus.
