Now the neighboring country of Congo is also affected: the government reports an Ebola outbreak in the Mubende district.
2019: A child in Kirembo, Uganda is vaccinated against Ebola.
(dpa) At least one person has died from Ebola in Uganda, according to the Ministry of Health. The authority announced on Twitter on Tuesday that the virus had been detected in the Mubende district, around 170 kilometers west of the capital Kampala. The dead man is a 24-year-old from the region.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the confirmed case in the East African country was preceded by several suspected cases. Since the beginning of the month, six people in the region with typical Ebola symptoms have been taken to hospitals and died. Eight other suspected cases are currently being examined.
The relatively rare Sudan Ebola virus was detected, one of the most aggressive variants alongside the Zaire Ebola virus, according to the WHO. According to Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Africa director, it is the first time in ten years that the Sudan variant has been detected in Uganda. Moeti announced that he wanted to support Uganda with aid.
Just last month, Uganda’s neighboring country Congo reported another Ebola outbreak.