44 confirmed cases in Uganda: Dangerous Ebola variant is spreading

Status: 06.10.2022 2:44 p.m

More and more people in Uganda are contracting the so-called Sudan Ebola virus. So far, there is no effective vaccine once morest this variant, but the World Health Organization is optimistic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a dangerous variant of the Ebola pathogen is spreading in Uganda. In the meantime, 44 confirmed cases of the tropical disease have been recorded, explained Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO representative in Uganda in Kampala. Ten of those infected died, including four members of health workers.

The so-called Sudan virus, the highly contagious fever disease, has appeared in five districts of the country. The first Ebola infection was reported in September from the central Ugandan district of Mubende. According to the WHO, there is still no effective vaccine once morest the virus variant. The WHO representative was nevertheless optimistic that the outbreak in Uganda would be brought under control.

Uganda plans ministerial meeting on Ebola outbreak

It is the first outbreak of Ebola disease in Uganda since 2012, caused by the Sudan virus. At the end of September, the WHO reported that at least six vaccine candidates once morest the virus are still in different stages of development. According to current knowledge, the Ervebo vaccine, which is highly effective once morest the Zaire Ebola virus, offers no protection once morest the Sudan Ebola virus.

The WHO sent several experts to combat the virus in Uganda. A ministerial meeting on the outbreak is also scheduled to take place on site next week. The West African states of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia have also been invited. During the worst Ebola epidemic to date, more than 11,300 people died in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. Ebola outbreaks are also common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.