Kampala: Uganda has confirmed two more Ebola infections in Kampala, bringing the country’s total number of confirmed cases to seven as health officials race to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
The latest cases were announced by the Ministry of Health on Monday and involve health workers from a private medical facility in the capital who had direct contact with earlier Ebola patients. The infected workers are currently receiving treatment while authorities continue tracing people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which recently spread from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo into Uganda. Health experts say the strain is especially worrying because there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently available, although patients have a better chance of survival if they receive early medical care.
Uganda first detected the outbreak after a 59 year old Congolese man travelled into Kampala from DR Congo while already infected. The man later died after developing severe symptoms. Since then, several other infections connected to the original patient have been confirmed, including a Ugandan driver who transported him, a health worker who treated him, and a Congolese woman who crossed the border while showing mild symptoms.
The newest infections have increased concern among health officials because they involve medical workers, raising fears about possible transmission inside health facilities. Authorities have strengthened infection control measures in hospitals and clinics, especially in Kampala and border districts.
The World Health Organization has described the outbreak as a serious regional threat due to the growing number of infections in eastern Congo and the movement of people across borders. The UN health agency recently declared the wider Ebola outbreak affecting DR Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
According to international health reports, eastern DR Congo has recorded hundreds of suspected Ebola cases and many deaths, particularly in Ituri Province near the Ugandan border. Ongoing armed conflict, insecurity and weak healthcare systems in the area have made it difficult for health teams to quickly identify and isolate infected people.
Uganda has activated emergency response systems across the country. Health teams are carrying out contact tracing, screening travellers at border points and monitoring people who may have interacted with confirmed patients. Isolation units have also been prepared in several hospitals while medical workers have been provided with protective equipment and training.
President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to remain calm but cautious. He advised the public to avoid unnecessary physical contact such as handshakes and to report anyone showing Ebola symptoms to health authorities immediately.
Public awareness campaigns have also intensified on radio, television and social media, with officials reminding people that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Common symptoms include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, bleeding.
Health experts say Uganda has experience dealing with Ebola outbreaks from previous years and has often managed to contain them quickly through aggressive surveillance and community cooperation. However, they warn that the current situation remains dangerous because of the continuous movement of people between Uganda and eastern Congo.
Neighbouring countries have also been advised to strengthen preparedness and surveillance measures to prevent further spread of the disease across the region.
As investigations continue, health authorities are appealing to the public not to panic but to strictly follow safety guidelines aimed at limiting transmission and protecting communities from a wider outbreak.