New Ebola cluster detected in Uganda, Africa CDC says
Uganda is battling the Ebola-Sudan strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
A new cluster of Ebola cases has emerged in Uganda, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday, adding that efforts were being made to intensify monitoring and contact-tracing measures.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a new cluster has been identified, comprising three confirmed cases and two probable cases.
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This resurgence comes despite earlier assurances from Ugandan authorities in mid-February that the outbreak had been contained.
"A total of 69 people have been identified as contacts, and all are currently being followed up," said CDC Chief of Staff Ngashi Ngongo during a press briefing.
The outbreak, which has so far claimed two lives—a four-year-old child and a nurse—has affected five districts. Health experts warn that the epidemic poses "a very important challenge."
Ngongo emphasised that "everything is being done in the country to intensify the monitoring of contacts.".
In response to the crisis, the United Nations has launched an appeal to raise $11.2 million to support containment efforts, following the United States' decision to halt most humanitarian aid.
Uganda is battling the Ebola-Sudan strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
However, a vaccination trial was launched last month and hailed by the World Health Organisation as the "fastest rollout" of an Ebola vaccine trial during an active outbreak.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhoea.
The disease has claimed more than 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years.
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