The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) in Kampala following laboratory results from three national reference laboratories.
Addressing the media this afternoon, Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine described the development as a serious public health concern but reassured Ugandans of the Ministry’s swift and coordinated response.
“An outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease has been confirmed in Kampala following confirmation from three national reference laboratories,” Dr. Atwine said.
The index case has been identified as a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital who presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. His condition worsened, leading to unexplained bleeding and multi-organ failure. He succumbed to the disease on January 29, 2025. Post-mortem samples confirmed SVD.
The patient sought treatment at multiple facilities, including Mulago National Referral Hospital, Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, as well as from a traditional healer.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry has activated a dedicated Incident Management Team and dispatched Rapid Response Teams to Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga. Health officials are currently tracing and monitoring 44 contacts of the deceased, which include 30 health workers and patients from Mulago, 11 family members, and four health workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital.
To prevent further spread of the disease, the deceased will be given a safe and dignified burial in adherence to Ebola containment protocols. Additionally, a vaccination campaign targeting all contacts of the deceased is set to commence immediately.
Dr. Atwine noted that, fortunately, no other health care worker or patient on the ward has so far presented with symptoms of Ebola.
“The Ministry of Health would like to reassure the public that we are in full control of the situation and continue to safeguard the lives of all people in Uganda,” Dr. Atwine emphasized.
She urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the toll-free line 0800-100-066 or to the nearest health facility.
