Uganda’s Ministry of Health confirmed six additional cases of Ebola virus disease on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the ongoing outbreak to 15.
According to the ministry’s latest update, the newly identified cases were detected among individuals who had contact with previously confirmed patients. Twelve people who have contracted the virus are currently receiving treatment at medical facilities, while two patients have recovered and been discharged.
Health authorities are monitoring 668 contacts linked to confirmed cases as part of efforts to contain transmission. The director general of health services urged residents experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to seek medical attention promptly, noting that early intervention improves outcomes.
Uganda declared the current outbreak in May after confirming two imported cases of Ebola Virus Disease, including one death. The Bundibugyo strain of the virus is responsible for the current outbreak, a variant that occurs less frequently than the Zaire strain but has proven capable of causing significant mortality.
International health organizations have mobilized support for Uganda’s response efforts. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations announced it is accelerating development of vaccine candidates specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain. Three pharmaceutical partners, including Oxford University, Moderna, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, are working on separate vaccine candidates.
Experts from the World Health Organization have traveled to the affected region to assess conditions and coordinate international response. The organization has highlighted challenges in contact tracing and surveillance capacity in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The current outbreak occurs amid broader concerns about Ebola’s spread across Central and East Africa. A separate outbreak caused by the same Bundibugyo strain has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where health officials have confirmed 282 cases and 42 deaths. Aid organizations have warned that official figures likely underestimate the true scale of transmission in both countries.
Health workers in Uganda have begun receiving experimental vaccines developed for the Sudan strain of Ebola, though no vaccine specifically approved for Bundibugyo currently exists. Authorities have implemented screening measures at border crossings and are conducting public awareness campaigns to inform communities about prevention measures.
The government has established treatment units in affected districts and is working with international partners to secure additional medical supplies and personnel. Environmental health teams are conducting disinfection procedures in areas where confirmed cases have been identified.