The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) in Kampala following positive test results from three National Reference Laboratories.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, addressed the media earlier today, providing details about the index case and the measures being taken to contain the outbreak.
The confirmed case, a 32-year-old male nurse employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital, initially developed fever-like symptoms. Seeking treatment, he visited 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.
The patient presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, which later progressed to unexplained bleeding from multiple body sites.
Despite receiving medical attention, he experienced multi-organ failure and passed away on January 29, 2025, at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Post-mortem samples confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease as the cause of death.
No additional health workers or patients on the ward have shown symptoms of Ebola at this time.
However, precautionary measures have been initiated to mitigate the risk of further transmission.
The Ministry of Health has launched a comprehensive response to the outbreak, including:
Incident Management Activation:
An Incident Management Team has been activated, and Rapid Response Teams have been dispatched to Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga.
A total of 44 contacts have been identified, 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 in Matugga.
The deceased will be accorded a safe and dignified burial to minimize the risk of further spread.
Vaccination Campaign: Vaccination of all identified contacts of the deceased is set to begin immediately to curb potential transmission.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain calm and follow preventive measures, including maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding direct contact with suspected Ebola patients or their belongings, and seeking immediate medical attention for any flu-like symptoms.
