Uganda has confirmed two new cases of Ebola, bringing the total number of infections in the country to seven, all directly linked to the ongoing outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The latest infections involve two health workers at a private hospital in Kampala, following earlier local transmissions from a Congolese man who died in a Kampala hospital.
Outbreak Escalates in DRC
The outbreak in the DRC, declared on 15 May, has seen over 900 suspected cases, predominantly in the eastern Ituri province. Response efforts have been hindered by community distrust and violence, complicating containment measures.
WHO Declares Global Health Emergency
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the outbreak a global health emergency and upgraded the risk of the Bundibugyo strain, responsible for the current infections, from 'high' to 'very high'. The WHO chief expressed deep concern over the 'scale and speed' of the Ebola outbreak in Africa.
Urgent Vaccine Development
Scientists at Oxford University are urgently developing a vaccine, the ChAdOx1 BDBV, specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved treatment. Clinical trials could potentially begin within two to three months.
Health Workers at Risk
Ugandan health officials reported that the two new cases are hospital workers, highlighting the heightened risk for frontline medical staff. The total number of confirmed cases in Uganda now stands at seven, all linked to the DRC outbreak.
