Increased Ebola cases and fatalities in Uganda

According to data from the Ministry of Health, the number of confirmed Ebola cases in Uganda has increased to 16, while the death toll from the disease has risen to four.

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• Four Ebola cases of deaths have been confirmed by the ministry, while 17 other deaths are being investigated as Ebola-related.
• Cases reported outside Mubende include three in Kyegegwa, and one in Kassanda but all linked to the index case in Mubende
• No confirmed cases in Kampala
• Ebola incident commander stated they are tracing 213 contacts
• Jane Ruth Aceng, the health minister, urged a thorough contact tracing

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Apart from the four confirmed deaths, 17 other fatalities are likely Ebola cases, according to ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona. In Uganda, there are currently 16 confirmed cases of the Ebola virus, with an additional 18 cases being considered likely cases of infection, he continued.

According to Emmanuel Ainebyoona, a ministry spokeswoman, [quotation]”Cases reported outside Mubende include three in Kyegegwa, and one in Kassanda but all linked to the index case in Mubende.”

He also noted that [quotation]”no confirmed cases in Kampala.”[/quotation]

The Uganda Virus Research Institute is analyzing samples from suspected cases, according to health authorities.

The ministry urged locals to follow preventative measures and report any suspected instances to authorities or nearby medical facilities.

Officials were concerned over the contact tracking gaps during the weekend.

The Ebola incident commander, Lt Col Henry Kyobe, stated they are tracing 213 contacts during his statement at the national task force meeting on Saturday at the Mubende District headquarters.

According to him, [quotation]”As we speak today (Saturday) we have 213 cumulative contacts. Contact tracing is still a challenge madam. The biggest proportion, numbering 118 (55 percent), are health workers, meaning that community contacts have not all been listed which creates a challenge.”[/quotation]

Jane Ruth Aceng, the health minister, urged a thorough contact tracing.