Uganda has confirmed a new outbreak of the Sudan virus, which falls under the Ebola virus family. The World Health Organization (WHO) is sending senior public health experts and staff from its country office to support the response efforts.
This is Uganda’s first Ebola outbreak in two years, and the ninth time the virus has affected the country, with five cases previously reported in Uganda and three in Sudan. A 32-year-old nurse who died after seeking care at multiple facilities is believed to be the index patient. Ugandan officials have confirmed that rapid response teams are deployed, contact tracing is underway, and measures are being taken to contain the situation.
WHO has allocated $1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to accelerate the response, with supplies such as personal protective equipment on order. The organization is also preparing to transport these supplies from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, to Uganda. Forty-five contacts of the index patient, including family members and healthcare workers, are currently being monitored, none of whom have reported symptoms.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/uganda-confirms-deadly-outbreak-sudan-ebola-virus