The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) in Kampala after laboratory tests from three National Reference Laboratories returned positive results.

At a press briefing, Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, shared details about the confirmed case and outlined measures being taken to curb the spread of the virus.

The patient, a 32-year-old male nurse employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital, initially developed symptoms including high fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Before a conclusive diagnosis was made, he sought treatment at multiple facilities, including:

Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala,Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital, Matugga, Wakiso District and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale City

His condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to severe bleeding and organ failure. Despite receiving medical attention, he succumbed to the illness on January 29, 2025, at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed that he had contracted Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.

Health officials have initiated an emergency response plan to prevent further infections. The key actions taken include:

Incident Management Team Deployment: Specialized teams have been sent to Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga and Mbale City to track and monitor potential cases.

Contact Tracing Efforts: A total of 44 individuals who were in contact with the deceased have been identified and placed under monitoring:

30 healthcare workers and patients from Mulago National Referral Hospital,11 family members of the deceased and 4 medical personnel from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga

Safe Burial Protocols: The deceased will be laid to rest following stringent health procedures to minimize further risk of transmission.

Vaccination Campaign: Immediate vaccination of all identified contacts is set to begin to contain potential spread.

Authorities have called for public vigilance, urging people to practice good hygiene, avoid direct contact with suspected Ebola cases or contaminated materials, and seek prompt medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms.

The Ministry of Health reassures citizens that comprehensive measures are in place to control the outbreak and prevent its escalation.