Uganda Reports Second Death From Ebola Outbreak

Following a recent epidemic, a four-year-old child has been identified as the second Ebola virus-related death in Uganda.

Uganda’s Ministry of Health reported a positive Ebola case at Mulago Hospital, the nation’s main Ebola referral site, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Saturday night. A four-year-old who passed away on Tuesday was at the center of the case.

Ten instances of a novel viral strain were reported in Uganda on Tuesday. A male nurse who passed away prior to the outbreak’s announcement on January 30 was the first casualty of the most recent outbreak.

At least 265 contacts were still under rigorous isolation in Kampala, despite the Health Ministry’s announcement in February that all eight Ebola patients under care had been released.

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This latest outbreak marks the sixth time Uganda has detected Ebola cases. The identified strain is the Sudan Ebola strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.

The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa was the deadliest to date, claiming over 11,000 lives.

The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and muscle pain.

Ebola surveillance work in Africa has faced challenges due to funding cuts affecting NGOs formerly supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These cuts are a result of President Donald Trump’s efforts to essentially dismantle the US government’s aid agency.

Charles Olaro, the director of health services at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, told The Associated Press that the aid cuts affect some NGOs that help nations respond to infectious diseases. “There are challenges, but we need to adjust to the new reality,” Olaro said.