The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed an emergency medical team to assist Uganda in containing a deadly Ebola outbreak that claimed the life of a health worker in Kampala.
In a statement on Thursday, WHO said its personnel would provide technical and logistical support to Uganda’s Ministry of Health.
The outbreak was declared after a 32-year-old male nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala succumbed to the Sudan Ebola virus on Wednesday. This marks Uganda’s eighth outbreak of the deadly disease.
WHO stated it is working closely with Ugandan health authorities to strengthen surveillance, case management, community mobilization, and risk communication efforts.
Health officials identified the deceased nurse as the index case. He initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at multiple facilities, including Mulago Hospital and a traditional healer.
Authorities have listed and isolated 45 contacts, including 30 health workers and patients from Mulago Hospital, 11 family members of the deceased, and four health workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga.
“The vaccination of all contacts of the deceased against Ebola virus disease will begin immediately. Available doses of the Ebola vaccine will be prioritized for contacts and health workers,” said Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.
Ebola is a highly contagious virus that causes severe symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, body pain, and, in many cases, internal and external bleeding.
According to WHO, the fatality rate for Ebola ranges from 50% to 89%, depending on the viral strain.
