The World Health Organization’s health emergencies program has reported that six people who came into contact with a recently confirmed Ebola case in Uganda have become ill, although it remains unclear whether they are suffering from the disease. The affected individuals include the patient’s wife and several health workers.
Mike Ryan, head of the WHO’s health emergencies program, stated that despite a rapid response to the outbreak, shortfalls in key areas have been created due to the Trump administration’s freeze on aid. This has led to the WHO stepping in to cover these costs, including transportation of samples for testing and border entry-and-exit screening.
Ryan emphasized the need for US funding to be restarted for specific health security projects, which are crucial for preventing the spread of Ebola. Vaccination efforts targeting known contacts and health workers caring for new cases may begin as early as Sunday using an experimental vaccine developed by the non-profit group IAVI.
Two licensed Ebola vaccines protect against a different species of the virus present in Uganda’s outbreak. The Ugandan government has already received supplies of the experimental vaccine, which is being prepositioned to support countries at risk of outbreaks.
The WHO and partners have been working together to prepare for potential Ebola outbreaks since 2019. Ryan praised the Ugandan government’s swift response and transparency, urging other countries not to impose travel bans on Uganda.
As of now, at least 234 contacts of the confirmed case have been identified, including healthcare workers who may have been exposed to the virus without proper protective equipment. The investigation into how the patient contracted Ebola is ongoing, but Ryan noted that missed cases often occur early in outbreaks, amplifying their impact.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/01/uganda-ebola-outbreak-contacts-infected-patient-ill-who-vaccinations-to-begin