The killer virus is back. The Ministry of Health has confirmed a Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the capital, Kampala, after a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital succumbed to the deadly virus on January 29, 2025.

Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, confirmed the development, saying:

“Laboratory tests from the Central Public Health Laboratory, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and Makerere University have all confirmed the presence of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in this case. This is now Uganda’s eighth Ebola outbreak.”

According to Atwine, the index case, a 32-year-old male nurse, had been treated in multiple hospitals before his condition worsened. He presented with high fever, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding before suffering multi-organ failure at Mulago.

“Initially he developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at multiple health facilities, including Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga in Wakiso District, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Mbale City, as well as from a traditional healer.
The patient presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing, which later progressed to unexplained bleeding from multiple body sites.” she stated

Atwine reveals that authorities are on high alert, tracking all potential contacts as the public fears a wider outbreak. However, Dr. Atwine assured Ugandans that measures are being taken to contain the virus.

“At the moment, no other healthcare workers or patients have shown symptoms, but we are closely monitoring all contacts,” she stated.

The Ministry of Health has sensitised the public on the symptoms of and how it spreads. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids. Symptoms include: High fever, fatigue, Chest pain, diarrhea , vomiting and unexplained bleeding

With Ebola back in Uganda, health officials are urging strict precautions to prevent further spread.

Uganda’s most recent outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola virus occurred between September 2022 and January 2023. During this period, the country reported 142 confirmed cases and 55 confirmed deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 39%.

An additional 22 probable cases were identified among individuals who died before samples could be taken, bringing the total number of deaths to 77. The outbreak affected nine districts, including Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kassanda, Kagadi, Bunyangabu, Kampala, and Wakiso. Notably, at least 19 healthcare workers were infected, of whom seven died.

The outbreak was declared over on January 11, 2023, after 42 days without new cases.