WHO gives Uganda Shs7b for Ebola fight
WHO teams are supporting surveillance, laboratories, logistics, infection prevention and control in hospitals, treatment centres and research
What you need to know:
- Last week, Uganda launched a trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus.
- The Ministry of Health placed 265 contacts under quarantine and strict follow-up measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that it was releasing an additional $2 million (about Shs7.3 billion) to support Uganda's response to its Ebola outbreak, which has killed one person and infected at least eight others.
"To further support Uganda's response to the Ebola outbreak, I am releasing an additional $2 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Our teams are supporting surveillance, laboratories, logistics, infection prevention and control in hospitals, treatment centres and research," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on his X handle.
This comes two days after Uganda's Ministry of Health reported six new cases of the virus disease as the country struggles to contain the new outbreak which was first announced on January 30th, 2025.
In a statement released on February 10, Dr Charles Olaro, the Acting Director General of Health Services at the ministry, indicated that the total cases had increased to nine, which was higher than the three cases that had been reported last week.
"Unfortunately, the first case, also known as the index case, succumbed to the disease. The remaining eight confirmed cases are currently receiving medical care and are in stable condition. Of these, seven patients are being treated at Mulago National Referral Hospital, while one patient is at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital," Dr Olaro said.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health placed 265 contacts under quarantine and strict follow-up measures.
"To contain the spread of the virus, the Ministry has heightened surveillance efforts, intensified public health risk communication, and strengthened community engagement efforts," he added.
The Health Ministry, following the outbreak of the disease in Mubende District, has asked the population across the country to report suspected cases of Ebola to the nearest health facilities for assessment.
The known symptoms of Ebola include high body temperatures, fatigue, chest pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, unexplained bleeding, and yellowing of the eyes. Bleeding is usually a late presentation after the above symptoms, according to the Health ministry.
Ebola vaccine trial
Last week, Uganda launched a trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. The WHO is collaborating with Uganda’s ministry of health, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and the Makerere University Lung Institute to conduct the trial. The Sudan Ebola virus kills at least 40% of those infected.
