Uganda reported on January 30 its ninth Ebola epidemic, after a nurse died in the capital city of Kampala on January 29. A 32-year-old male nurse was the victim, and his symptoms included “bleeding from multiple body sites” and “high fever, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing.”
The government has assured its citizens that it is “fully in control” of their safety as the nation confronts a new outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola. Uganda’s last Ebola outbreak was reported in September 2022, which was also caused by SUDV. There are six recognized strains of the Ebola virus, with four—Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, and Taï Forest—known to cause illness in humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on average, Ebola kills five out of every ten people infected.
In a declaration, Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Uganda Ministry of Health, stated, “The Government of Uganda would like to reassure the public that the Ministry of Health is in full control of the situation and continue to safe guard the lives of all people in Uganda.” The Ugandan government has advised people to refrain from physical contact with anyone showing Ebola symptoms and urged all citizens to practice rigorous hand hygiene by washing their hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizers.