The confirmation of a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in Uganda‘s capital, Kampala, has alarmed the country and international health agencies. Uganda’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday reported the death of a 32-year-old nurse who had symptoms of the Ebola virus. The case is the eighth Ebola outbreak recorded in Uganda since 2000 and has put health officials on alert.
What happened?
The victim nurse, whose identity has not yet been made public, first showed symptoms such as “high fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and bleeding from several parts of the body.” She died of multi-organ failure, which is common in severe cases of the Ebola virus. Malongo National Hospital, where she was being treated, confirmed the death.
Before her death, the nurse had consulted several health facilities and a traditional healer. He had also visited a public hospital in Mbale, a town bordering Kenya, further increasing the risk of the infection spreading.
Sudan Ebola Virus: A Dangerous Strain
The outbreak is caused by the Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV), one of the six known types of Ebola. SUDV is highly contagious and spreads through contact with bodily fluids or tissues of an infected person. The virus causes hemorrhagic fever, which includes severe symptoms such as internal and external bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and organ failure.
Unlike other types of Ebola, such as the Zaire Ebola virus, there is no approved vaccine for SUDV yet. This is a major cause for concern, as it makes controlling the outbreak more challenging.
Contact tracing and challenges
The Ugandan Ministry of Health has identified 44 contacts of the deceased nurse, including 30 health workers. These people have been isolated and are being monitored. However, contact tracing is a major challenge, as Kampala is a busy city that serves as a major travel hub for South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and other neighboring countries.
In addition, the nurse had visited several health facilities before her death, further increasing the risk of the infection spreading. Health officials have deployed rapid response teams, but the situation may be difficult to control due to the city’s population and traffic.
History of Ebola in Uganda
The first outbreak of Ebola in Uganda was recorded in 2000. Since then, the country has faced several outbreaks. In September 2022, there was an outbreak caused by SUDV in Mubende district, which was declared over four months later. However, this new case shows that the Ebola threat is not over yet.
Global impact of Ebola
The Ebola virus has affected many countries in Africa over the past few decades. The 2014-2016 West African outbreak was the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded, with more than 11,000 people dying. Although outbreaks in Uganda are usually small in scale, their severity and mortality rate are worrisome.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola can have a mortality rate of 25% to 90%, depending on the outbreak situation and response measures. On average, the virus kills five out of every 10 infected individuals.
Symptoms of Ebola virus
The Ebola virus is a serious and life-threatening disease that causes hemorrhagic fever. Its symptoms usually appear within 2 to 21 days of infection. The major symptoms of Ebola are as follows:
Early symptoms:
High fever (38°C or higher)
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
Sore throat
Fatigue and weakness
Severe symptoms:
Vomiting and diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Rash on the skin
Redness in the eyes
Internal and external bleeding (such as bleeding in the gums, nose, or stool)
Decrease in kidney and liver function
Multiple organ failure
Last stage symptoms:
Shock (drop in blood pressure)
Coma
Death
Solutions and Treatment for Ebola
There is no specific cure for the Ebola virus, but some measures and treatments can help reduce its effects and increase the patient’s chances of survival.
- Supportive Care:
Fluids and electrolytes: Ebola patients are at risk of dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. IV fluids and electrolytes are given to prevent this.
Blood pressure management: medications are given to keep blood pressure stable.
Oxygen therapy: Oxygen is given if there is difficulty breathing.
Treatment of infection: Antibiotics may be given to prevent other infections.
- Experimental Treatments:
Monoclonal antibodies: For some types of Ebola, such as the Zaire Ebola virus, monoclonal antibodies (such as Inmazeb and Ebanga) are used. These drugs prevent the virus from spreading in the body.
Antiviral drugs: Drugs such as Remdesivir may be effective in treating Ebola, although they are still in the experimental stage.
- Vaccination:
Ervebo vaccine: This vaccine is effective against the Zaire Ebola virus and was approved by the WHO in 2019.
Two-dose vaccine: Johnson & Johnson’s Zabdeno and Mvabea vaccines also provide protection against Ebola.
- Preventive measures:
Isolating infected individuals: Ebola patients are kept in isolation so that the infection does not spread.
Hygiene and sanitization: washing hands, wearing protective clothing (PPE), and safely destroying infected material.
Public awareness: Educate people about Ebola symptoms and prevention measures.
Travel restrictions: Limit travel from affected areas.
- International cooperation:
WHO and other organizations: The World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, and other international organizations help control the outbreak.
Resource and technical assistance: Financial and technical assistance is provided to the affected countries.
Conclusion
The Ebola virus is a serious and life-threatening disease, but its impact can be minimized with the right timely treatment and prevention measures. The public should be aware of its symptoms and prevention methods. Also, there is a need to invest in the development of vaccines and treatments globally so that such outbreaks can be prevented in the future.
Vigilance, preparedness, and collaboration are important in the fight against Ebola. If you or someone around you notices symptoms of Ebola, contact health authorities immediately.
Additional information
Recently, WHO has pledged to provide technical and financial support to Uganda. In addition, the African Union and other international organizations have also offered assistance. The Ugandan government has announced strict measures to prevent the spread of Ebola, including sanitization of public places and public awareness campaigns.
This outbreak has once again reminded the world that global collaboration and preparedness are needed to deal with viruses like Ebola. Urgent action is needed to control the situation in Uganda so that the outbreak does not spread further.