KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda has confirmed two new Ebola infections, bringing the total number of cases linked to the current outbreak to seven, according to health authorities.
In a statement, Director General of Health Services Charles Olaro said the latest patients are health workers at a private health facility in Kampala, raising concern about transmission within healthcare settings.
“Both patients have been admitted to the designated treatment unit and are now receiving care. All contacts linked to the confirmed cases are being listed for follow-up by response teams,” Olaro said.
He urged the public to report any suspected Ebola symptoms promptly, emphasising that early detection improves survival and helps limit the spread of the virus.
Regional concerns as cases rise in DR Congo
The development comes amid a surge in suspected Ebola cases in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), widely regarded as the epicentre of the outbreak.
Authorities there reported 904 suspected infections and 119 suspected deaths by Sunday, marking a sharp increase from earlier figures of more than 700 cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following confirmed cases in Ituri Province.
Laboratory analysis by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo virus in multiple samples collected earlier this month.
No vaccine for Bundibugyo strain
Health experts warn that the Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges because there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment approved for it.
However, early supportive care — including hydration and treatment of symptoms — has been shown to significantly improve survival rates.
The WHO has assessed the outbreak risk as “very high” within the DRC, although the likelihood of wider international spread remains low.
Kenya steps up surveillance
In response, Kenya has heightened Ebola preparedness measures, including intensified screening at key entry points such as the Busia border with Uganda.
Uganda remains the only neighbouring country so far to confirm cases linked to the current outbreak.
The country first detected the virus on May 15 after a Congolese national died in Kampala shortly after crossing into Uganda.
Also Read: Kenya confirms no Ebola cases after testing suspected patients
Subsequent investigations traced the initial cluster to cross-border movement, including a local driver who later tested positive after transporting an infected individual.
Understanding Ebola transmission
Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness caused by one of the Ebola virus species. Fruit bats are believed to be the natural hosts of the virus.
Human infections typically begin through contact with infected wildlife before spreading between people via direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
Transmission risks are higher in healthcare settings with inadequate infection control and during unsafe burial practices.
The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, and individuals are not contagious until symptoms appear.
Early symptoms; including fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain, often resemble other illnesses, complicating early diagnosis. In severe cases, patients may develop organ failure and haemorrhagic complications.
Previous outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain have recorded fatality rates ranging between 30 and 50 per cent.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as response teams intensify contact tracing and containment efforts.
