By IDSE News Staff

The World Health Organization confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease in Uganda, the first confirmed case in Uganda since the Ebola outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but there are media reports of at least two more cases that have not yet been confirmed.

The confirmed case is a 5-year-old child from the DRC, who traveled with his family on June 9. He died.

The child and his family entered the country through Bwera Border post and sought medical care at Kagando Hospital where health workers identified Ebola as a possible cause of illness. The child was transferred to Bwera Ebola Treatment Unit for management. The confirmation was made by the Uganda Virus Research Institute. 

The Ministry of Health and WHO have dispatched a rapid response team to Kasese to identify other people who may be at risk, and ensure they are monitored and treated if they become ill. Uganda has previous experience managing Ebola outbreaks. In preparation for a possible imported case during the current outbreak in DRC, Uganda has vaccinated nearly 4,700 health workers in 165 health facilities; disease monitoring has been intensified; and health workers have been trained on recognizing symptoms of the disease. Ebola treatment units are in place.

As of June 10, there have been 2,071 cases of Ebola reported in DRC with 1,396 deaths.

Ebola virus disease is a severe illness that is spread through contact with the body fluids of a person sick with the disease (such as vomit, feces or blood). First symptoms are similar to other diseases and thus require vigilant health and community workers, especially in areas where there is Ebola transmission, to help make the diagnosis. Symptoms can be sudden and include:

  • fever
  • fatigue
  • muscle pain
  • headache
  • sore throat

People who have been in contact with someone with the disease are offered vaccine and asked to monitor their health for 21 days to ensure they do not become ill, as well.

The investigational vaccine being used in DRC and by health and front-line workers in Uganda has been effective in protecting people from developing the disease, and has helped those who do develop the disease to have a better chance of survival, according to WHO.