Uganda confirms Ebola outbreak linked to DR Congo, one dead

Uganda has confirmed an outbreak of the highly infectious Ebola virus disease involving the Bundibugyo strain, the country’s Health Ministry announced on May 15.

According to the ministry, the confirmed case was imported from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The patient died in intensive care on May 14 after developing hemorrhagic symptoms associated with the disease, foreign media reports. 

The outbreak has raised regional health concerns as authorities monitor possible cross-border transmission. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said deaths and suspected cases have been recorded mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones in eastern Congo.

Africa CDC said 65 deaths have been linked to the outbreak so far, although only four cases have been laboratory confirmed.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, or semen from infected individuals.

Health experts are still working to identify the exact virus behind the outbreak in Congo. While previous outbreaks in the DRC were largely driven by the Ebola Zaire strain, preliminary findings suggest the current outbreak may involve a different variant. Genetic sequencing efforts are ongoing.

The World Health Organization says Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, three of which are known to trigger major outbreaks: Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus.

By Sabina Mammadli