Uganda is grappling with a growing Ebola outbreak, as confirmed cases rise to nine while 265 individuals remain under quarantine.
Among the infected is a male nurse who died a day before the outbreak was officially declared on January 30, marking the only recorded fatality.
Health officials confirmed that the remaining eight patients are receiving medical care in stable condition, with seven admitted in Kampala and one in Mbale.
Authorities emphasized that the situation remains under control, with heightened surveillance and efforts to track potential new cases.
The deceased nurse had initially sought treatment in Kampala before traveling to Mbale, where he was hospitalized and later consulted a traditional healer.
Several of his relatives have now tested positive for Ebola, raising concerns about potential further transmission within communities.
Kampala, a city of nearly four million people, presents a unique challenge due to its high population mobility, complicating efforts to pinpoint the outbreak’s origin.
Tracing and isolating contacts swiftly is critical, as Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials.
Currently, no approved vaccines exist for the Sudan strain of Ebola, which is responsible for this outbreak, though clinical trials are underway.
The last significant outbreak in Uganda, which began in September 2022, claimed at least 55 lives before being declared over four months later.
Ebola symptoms range from fever, vomiting, and muscle pain to severe internal and external bleeding, making early detection crucial in controlling outbreaks.
Scientists believe initial infections stem from human contact with infected animals or the consumption of raw meat from wild sources.
The virus was first identified in 1976 in South Sudan and Congo, near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.
