Ebola: Two new cases confirmed, private hospital is closed in Kampala

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The Ministry of Health has confirmed two new cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kampala, raising the country’s total number of confirmed infections to nine, including one death and two recoveries, leaving six active cases.

In a statement released on Friday, May 29, Prof Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, said both new infections involve Congolese nationals linked to the ongoing regional outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

According to the ministry, one of the patients presented with Ebola-related symptoms and was quickly isolated by emergency response teams.

“Our rapid response teams acted swiftly to isolate the patient as soon as symptoms were noted,” Prof. Olaro said.

He added that all contacts linked to the newly confirmed patient had already been identified and placed under close monitoring to prevent further transmission. The second patient was identified through contact tracing after being linked to a previously confirmed Ebola case.

The latest infections come as Uganda intensifies surveillance and border control measures amid growing concern over the spread of Ebola from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where about 1000 suspected infections and 246 deaths have been reported as of May 28.

The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain vigilant and report anyone showing symptoms associated with Ebola, including sudden fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.

“When an individual reports early, the chances of survival are high. Health response teams continue conducting contact tracing, isolation and monitoring operations in Kampala and other high-risk areas as authorities intensify efforts to prevent further spread of the disease,” said Prof. Olaro.

Private Hospital Closed

Amid the outbreak response, a private hospital in Kampala (name withheld) has temporarily closed operations to allow health authorities to conduct contact tracing and infection control measures following a suspected Ebola-related exposure.

In an internal statement seen by this New Vision, the hospital management said the facility had worked closely with the Ministry of Health and public health authorities after a patient linked to Ebola was managed at the hospital between May 11 and May 13.

The hospital said enhanced infection prevention and control measures had been activated to protect staff, patients and visitors.

“Some staff members are currently undergoing assessment, monitoring and receiving appropriate medical support,” the statement noted.

The hospital management also said routine clinical services had been temporarily closed between May 27 and May 31 to allow enhanced cleaning and disinfection, staff risk assessments, refresher infection prevention training, and coordination with Ministry of Health surveillance and contact tracing teams.

Staff members experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding or severe headache were advised to immediately notify response teams and avoid reporting to work until medically cleared.

International Response

The Ebola outbreak is increasingly drawing international concern as countries tighten travel and public health measures linked to the crisis in DRC. In Kenya, a court on Friday, May 29, temporarily halted the opening of an Ebola quarantine facility intended for U.S. nationals arriving from DRC.

The centre, which was due to open at Laikipia Air Base near Nairobi, was expected to host up to 50 isolation beds managed by U.S. medical personnel. U.S. officials said the facility was intended to support Americans leaving DRC while avoiding lengthy travel back to the United States during quarantine.

Alternatively, during the May 28 weekly presser, Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, described the restrictions as harmful and unnecessary, particularly for countries that have not recorded any Ebola cases.

“We cannot stop this outbreak with travel restrictions that Western countries have started to impose on African countries,” Kaseya said while speaking from Kinshasa on Thursday.

“It is even a shame to see a country like South Sudan, with zero suspected cases and zero deaths, under travel restrictions. The treatment that Western countries are applying to Africa is not acceptable,” he added.

According to Kaseya, at least 15 countries have now introduced some form of travel restrictions linked to the outbreak. He warned that similar restrictions during the 2018 Ebola outbreak in West Africa resulted in economic losses estimated at US$53 billion, equivalent to nearly 12 per cent of the region’s GDP.

By Wednesday, May 28, health authorities in DRC had recorded 1,077 suspected Ebola cases and 246 deaths, including three young doctors in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak in Ituri Province.