The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged $2 million (Sh258 million) to help Uganda contain its Ebola outbreak. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus announced on Thursday that the funds will come from the organization’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies. The aim is to address urgent healthcare needs.
WHO teams are also assisting Ugandan authorities with disease surveillance, lab testing, logistics, and infection control. They are supporting hospitals and treatment centers while conducting research to improve outbreak management.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health reported that confirmed Ebola cases rose from three to nine as of February 11. Among them, one patient has died. Seven are receiving treatment in a Kampala hospital, and one is hospitalized in Mbale. Authorities say the eight surviving patients are in stable condition. Meanwhile, 265 people identified as contacts are under quarantine.
To combat the outbreak, Uganda has launched a vaccine trial for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. Unlike the Zaire strain, which has an approved vaccine, no licensed immunization exists for the Sudan variant. Officials hope the trial will provide data for future responses.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. As it progresses, patients experience vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and internal and external bleeding. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, making containment crucial.
This marks Uganda’s sixth recorded Ebola outbreak. To curb its spread, 40 individuals who had contact with the first confirmed case are being vaccinated. The initiative is a joint effort by Ugandan health authorities and WHO.
The last Sudan strain outbreak in Uganda occurred in September 2022, causing over 70 deaths. It was declared over in January 2023. At the time, Uganda had access to the same candidate vaccine but was unable to conduct trials before the outbreak ended. Health officials see the current trial as a chance to test its effectiveness and improve future outbreak responses.