Uganda Confirms Two New Ebola Cases Among Healthcare Workers

Uganda has confirmed two new cases of Ebola infection, both involving healthcare workers at a private facility in the capital, Kampala. The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that the affected individuals are receiving treatment. This development raises concerns as the virus continues to spread in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is the epicenter of the current outbreak.

The DRC has reported over 900 suspected infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern, the second-highest alert level, due to the escalating crisis. Ugandan health officials are actively tracing the contacts of the newly infected individuals and have urged citizens to avoid anyone exhibiting symptoms.

In response to the growing threat, Uganda had previously suspended all public transport to the DRC last week after two cases were confirmed among Congolese nationals, one of whom died. The current outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo strain, first identified in 2007, which lacks vaccines and treatments and has a mortality rate of approximately 30-50%.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a state of emergency across the continent due to the high risk of regional spread. Africa CDC President Jean Kaseya warned that the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda could potentially spread to ten other Central African countries, including South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Congo, Burundi, Angola, Central African Republic, and Zambia.