Uganda Confirms First Ebola Death Since 2023 Outbreak Ended
KAMPALA, UGANDA - FEBRUARY 3: Health workers prepare doses of a trial vaccine at Mulago Referral Hospital for medical staff and contacts of a man who died after testing positive for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, on February 3, 2025 in Kampala, Uganda. The Uganda Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD) on January 30, following the death of the 32-year-old male nurse who worked at the Mulago Referral Hospital, marking the first recorded fatality from Ebola since the last outbreak in Uganda, between 2022-2023. Sudan virus is a deadly strain of Ebola, and according to the World Health Organization, currently has no approved treatments or vaccines. (Photo by Hajara Nalwadda/Getty Images)
A tragic event has occurred in Uganda, where the nation has reported its first death from Ebola since the previous outbreak ended earlier in 2023. Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, conveyed this distressing information during a press briefing on Thursday. The individual has been identified as a 32-year-old male nurse working at Mulago Hospital, the main referral medical facility in Kampala, the capital.
The nurse began to show symptoms typical of fever and later sought medical help at various healthcare facilities across Uganda. Despite several visits and the efforts of medical professionals to determine the nature of his illness, it wasn’t until extensive lab tests were performed that he received a conclusive diagnosis of Ebola. Unfortunately, the nurse passed away from the disease on Wednesday, and postmortem tests later confirmed that he had been infected with the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, which presents unique difficulties due to the lack of an approved vaccine for this variant.
In reaction to this concerning situation, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has launched an extensive contact tracing program to find and monitor individuals who may have been in contact with the deceased nurse. Initial reports suggest that at least 44 people have been identified for surveillance, including 30 healthcare workers who had direct contact with him during his illness, as well as patients who were at Mulago Hospital around that time. Atwine reassured the public during the briefing, stating that health authorities are “fully in control of the situation” and encouraged anyone experiencing symptoms potentially related to Ebola, such as fever, to seek medical care without delay.
Contact tracing is a vital strategy in managing and limiting the spread of Ebola, especially considering that there are currently no authorized vaccines for the Sudan strain. Uganda has encountered several Ebola outbreaks over the years, with the most recent significant concern beginning in September 2022. This last outbreak unfortunately resulted in at least 55 confirmed fatalities and was officially declared over in January 2023, which has now heightened fears regarding the recent resurgence of this perilous virus.
The increase in Ebola cases in Uganda adds to the already serious concerns about viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks throughout the East African region. Earlier this month, neighboring Tanzania reported a Marburg disease outbreak, a virus that has similarities with Ebola, while Rwanda announced the successful conclusion of its own Marburg outbreak last December. The ongoing Marburg outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera region has already resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals according to local health officials, further highlighting the critical state of public health in the area.
Ebola spreads primarily through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or through exposure to contaminated objects, manifesting as a severe type of hemorrhagic fever. Its symptoms are severe and can include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, intense muscle pain, and in severe situations, both internal and external bleeding.
Researchers continue to face challenges in understanding the natural reservoirs of the Ebola virus; however, there is a widely held belief that initial human infections during outbreaks frequently stem from contact with infected wildlife or the consumption of their uncooked meat. Given the sudden emergence of this outbreak, officials in Uganda are actively working to identify the source of the virus and prevent further spread.
Historically, Uganda has dealt with numerous Ebola outbreaks, including a particularly devastating episode in 2000 that resulted in several hundred deaths. Moreover, the West African Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2016 is recognized as the largest in recorded history, claiming over 11,000 lives and significantly influencing global public health responses and initiatives.
Ebola was first recognized in 1976 during two simultaneous outbreaks that took place in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the Ebola River, which is how the virus got its name. As the situation evolves, the Ministry of Health continues to oversee and coordinate efforts aimed at preventing further outbreaks and ensuring public safety in the face of this lethal virus.
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