Uganda Reports New Ebola Case After Nurse's Death.
A nurse in Uganda has died from Ebola, marking a fresh outbreak of the virus in the country. Health officials confirmed the case Thursday.
The 32-year-old male nurse died at Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29. He showed signs of organ failure after seeking care at several medical facilities, said Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine.
The patient suffered from fever, chest pain, and breathing problems for five days. His condition worsened with bleeding from multiple parts of his body. Tests after death confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.
"No other healthcare worker or patient on the ward has shown signs of Ebola," Atwine said.
Health teams have identified 44 people who had contact with the nurse. These include 30 staff and patients from Mulago, 11 family members, and four workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital.
The ministry has sent response teams to Mbale City and Matugga. Officials plan to start vaccinating people who had contact with the nurse.
Uganda has experienced seven previous outbreaks of Sudan ebolavirus. The country's last Ebola case occurred in 2019 when the Zaire strain spread from Congo.
The Sudan virus belongs to the Ebolavirus family. It causes severe illness in humans and other primates, making it one of four viruses that lead to Ebola disease.
Officials will conduct a safe burial to prevent the virus from spreading further.
A nurse in Uganda has died from Ebola, marking a fresh outbreak of the virus in the country. Health officials confirmed the case Thursday.
The 32-year-old male nurse died at Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29. He showed signs of organ failure after seeking care at several medical facilities, said Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine.
The patient suffered from fever, chest pain, and breathing problems for five days. His condition worsened with bleeding from multiple parts of his body. Tests after death confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.
"No other healthcare worker or patient on the ward has shown signs of Ebola," Atwine said.
Health teams have identified 44 people who had contact with the nurse. These include 30 staff and patients from Mulago, 11 family members, and four workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital.
The ministry has sent response teams to Mbale City and Matugga. Officials plan to start vaccinating people who had contact with the nurse.
Uganda has experienced seven previous outbreaks of Sudan ebolavirus. The country's last Ebola case occurred in 2019 when the Zaire strain spread from Congo.
The Sudan virus belongs to the Ebolavirus family. It causes severe illness in humans and other primates, making it one of four viruses that lead to Ebola disease.
Officials will conduct a safe burial to prevent the virus from spreading further.
