Following the declaration of a Sudan Ebola virus outbreak in the country on Thursday, the Ministry of Health has moved swiftly to quarantine individuals who came into contact with a nurse who succumbed to the disease.
Dr. Charles Olaro, the acting Director General of Health Services, announced on Friday that contacts of the deceased nurse have been isolated and will be monitored for 21 days.
“These individuals will be closely observed for the next 21 days. If any develop symptoms, they will be immediately transferred to isolation units,” Dr. Olaro emphasized during an interview with Daparrot online.
He urged the public to adhere to strict health protocols, including regular hand washing, sanitizing, and avoiding contact with bodily fluids of anyone exhibiting suspicious symptoms.
“This disease is highly preventable if we follow standard operating procedures,” he added.
The Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD) on January 30 after tests from three national reference laboratories identified the virus, the confirmed case involved an adult male nurse who initially experienced fever-like symptoms and sought treatment from a traditional healer as well as multiple health facilities.
His symptoms, which began between January 20 and 21, included high fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The condition rapidly worsened, leading to unexplained bleeding from multiple body sites, multi-organ failure, and ultimately his death on January 29 at the National Referral Hospital.
Sudan virus disease, a severe and often fatal illness caused by the Sudan virus (SUDV), belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease. It is characterized by an acute onset of fever, followed by non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, and sore throat. Severe cases can progress to hemorrhagic manifestations, shock, multi-organ failure, and death, with past outbreaks recording fatality rates between 41% and 70%. The virus spreads through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces, with family members, healthcare workers, and participants in burial ceremonies being at particularly high risk.
This marks Uganda’s sixth SVD outbreak since the virus was first identified in southern Sudan in 1976. Previous outbreaks in Uganda occurred in 2000, 2011, 2012 (twice), and 2022. The most recent outbreak, declared over on January 11, 2023, resulted in 164 cases and 77 deaths across nine districts.
The current outbreak poses a significant public health challenge, as there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically for the prevention or treatment of SVD. Health officials are working to contain the spread of the virus through contact tracing, quarantine measures, and public awareness campaigns.
Dr. Olaro reiterated the importance of community vigilance and cooperation. “We must all remain alert and follow health guidelines to prevent further transmission. This is a collective effort to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” he said.
As the Ministry of Health continues its response, the global health community is closely monitoring the situation, given the potential for cross-border spread and the high fatality rate associated with the disease.
