WHO allocates additional $2 Million to Uganda for Ebola response
The World Health Organization (WHO) has allocated an additional $2 million to Uganda to assist in addressing the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, following its confirmation on January 30.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General, said the funding will enhance surveillance, laboratory work, logistics, and infection control efforts across hospitals, treatment centres, and research initiatives in the country.
“To further support Uganda‘s response to the Ebola outbreak, I am releasing an additional $2 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies," he said.
Previously, the WHO granted $1 million to Uganda last month, acknowledging the country’s swift response to the outbreak.
Historically, there have been eight outbreaks of Sudan virus disease: five in Uganda and three in Sudan. The last outbreak reported in Uganda occurred in 2022.
Sudan virus disease is a severe illness, often lethal, affecting humans and primates, caused by the Sudan virus from the Orthoebolavirus genus. Previous outbreaks have had case fatality rates ranging from 41% to 100%.
Uganda has so far identified six new Ebola cases, bringing the total to nine confirmed infections, including one death, as reported by the Ministry of Health.
Seven of the patients are receiving treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital, while one is at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
The Ministry of Health has placed 265 contacts under quarantine and is rigorously following up to contain the outbreak, which was officially declared after a nurse's death from the disease.
