Uganda is grappling with a worsening Ebola outbreak, with 29 deaths reported since 20 September, including four health workers. The World Health Organization confirmed the figures on Wednesday, noting that six more health workers have been infected, bringing total cases to 63 across five sub-counties.
The outbreak, centred in the central mining district of Mubende, involves the Sudan strain of the virus, for which no licensed vaccine exists. President Yoweri Museveni has assured the public that the government has the situation under control, but Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) described it as “very serious”. Dr Christopher Mambula, MSF programme manager in Uganda, warned that cases are rising daily and the full extent of spread remains unclear.
Health workers are particularly concerned about the potential for the disease to reach refugee camps along the highway to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which houses at least 200,000 refugees. The WHO has released $2 million from its emergency fund and is sending additional specialists and supplies to support Uganda’s Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng has called for more international support, stating that efforts need to be intensified to end the epidemic. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced a ministerial meeting next week with neighbouring states to explore management strategies.
