22 days ago Mubende Regional Referral Hospital in Mubende, Uganda reported the first Ebola cases in the country. After one day, the death toll had risen to at least 5. The Ugandan government and World Health Organization issued a health alert following the confirmed resurgence of the virus 48 hours after the first death.
By 23 September, 11 had died as hospitals across the country braced for sick and dying. The governments of Tanzania and Somalia issued health alerts and began coordination with the WHO.
Two weeks ago, the death toll had risen to 23 according to local sources, with more Red Cross and government forces being deployed to the area to stem the spread. To control panic, Ugandan President Museveni issued this statement.
However, today it has been reported that the first death of the virus has been confirmed in Kampala, which is more than 100 miles away from the outbreak epicenter. According to local news, 48 people have died, but 5 health workers have also recovered as international flights are being redirected to major airports where Ebola testing centers have been established.
The Ugandan capital has a population of at least 1.5 million people, leading to fears that the virus may spread regionally if not globally since the country’s borders are still open to travelers.
Please see the below description of Ebola from the CDC below:
”Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a deadly disease with occasional outbreaks that occur mostly on the African continent. EVD most commonly affects people and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). It is caused by an infection with a group of viruses within the genus Ebolavirus:
- Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus)
- Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus)
- Taï Forest virus (species Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus)
- Bundibugyo virus (species Bundibugyo ebolavirus)
- Reston virus (species Reston ebolavirus)
- Bombali virus (species Bombali ebolavirus)
Of these, only four (Ebola, Sudan, Taï Forest, and Bundibugyo viruses) have caused disease in people. Reston virus can cause disease in nonhuman primates and pigs, but there have not been cases in people. Bombali virus was first identified in bats in 2018, and experts do not know yet if it causes disease in either animals or people.
Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the virus has been infecting people from time to time, leading to outbreaks in several African countries. Scientists do not know where Ebola virus comes from. Based on similar viruses, they believe EVD is animal-borne, with bats or nonhuman primates being the most likely source. Infected animals carrying the virus can transmit it to other animals, like apes, monkeys, duikers and humans.
The virus first spreads to people through direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of animals. Ebola virus then spreads to other people through direct contact with body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from EVD. This can occur when a person touches these infected body fluids or objects that are contaminated with them. The virus then gets into the body through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth. People can get the virus through sexual contact with someone who is sick with or has recovered from EVD. The virus can persist in certain body fluids, like semen, after recovery from the illness.
Ebola survivors may experience side effects after their recovery. These may include tiredness, muscle aches, eye and vision problems and stomach pain.”
