On Oct. 4, the WHO declared Uganda’s most recent Ebola outbreak over. Today, Uganda’s WHO country representative, Joaquim Saweka, reports two confirmed Ebola deaths from the Luwero District.
According to a news report from China’s Xinhua, the epicenter of the new outbreak is in Sombwe Parish, Nyimbwa Sub County, Luwero District. The two deaths occurred over the weekend. On Tuesday, the Central Public Health Laboratory confirmed these deaths to have been caused by Ebola-Sudan.
Uganda’s Daily Monitor reports two other suspected Ebola deaths in the same district. These deaths have not been confirmed by lab reports. Because of the current Marburg outbreak, they were initially suspected as related to Marburg, but the tests results were negative.
Dr. Asumna Lukwago, Ministry of Health permanent secretary, is reported to have said that officials are treating the current Ebola outbreak as an extension of the most recent Ebola and Marburg outbreaks.
The last Ebola outbreak in the Kibaale District resulted in a total of 24 probable and confirmed cases and 17 deaths. This outbreak was also caused by the Ebola-Sudan strain. The WHO reports a total of 18 cases and 9 deaths due to the current Marburg outbreak that is occurring in Kabale, Kampala, Ibanda, Mbarara, and Kabarole districts.
Update Monday, November 19: The Africa Report announed today that the death toll of Uganda's latest Ebola outbreak has risen to 6. In response, the government has banned public gatherings in the Luwero District and citizens are avoiding shaking hands or other physical contact. This outbreak's close proximity to Kampala is igniting fear and panic in the capital's residents.
