WHO provides Uganda with $2 million to combat Ebola

WHO teams are assisting with research, hospitals, treatment facilities, laboratories, logistics, and infection prevention and control.

In order to help Uganda deal with its Ebola outbreak, which has killed one person and infected at least eight others, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Thursday that it was providing an additional $2 million, or roughly Shs7.3 billion.

“I’m releasing an extra $2 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help Uganda respond to the Ebola outbreak. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on his X account, “Our teams are supporting surveillance, laboratories, logistics, infection prevention and control in hospitals, treatment centers, and research.”

As the nation tries to contain the latest outbreak, which was initially declared on January 30, 2025, Uganda’s Ministry of Health confirmed six new instances of the virus sickness two days prior.

Dr. Charles Olaro, the ministry’s Acting Director General of Health Services, said in a statement issued on February 10 that the number of cases had risen to nine, surpassing the three instances that had been reported the previous week.

“Sadly, the first case—also referred to as the index case—died from the illness. The conditions of the remaining eight confirmed cases are stable and they are presently receiving medical attention. Dr. Olaro stated that seven of these patients are receiving treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and one is in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.

The Ministry of Health implemented stringent follow-up procedures and quarantined 265 contacts in response to the incident.

“To contain the spread of the virus, the Ministry has heightened surveillance efforts, intensified public health risk communication, and strengthened community engagement efforts,” he stated.

Following the disease outbreak in Mubende District, the Health Ministry has urged people nationwide to report suspected Ebola cases to the closest medical facilities for evaluation.

High body temperatures, exhaustion, chest discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, and eye yellowing are all recognized signs of Ebola. According to the health ministry, bleeding typically manifests late after the aforementioned symptoms.

Trial of an Ebola vaccine

Uganda began testing a vaccination against the Sudan type of the Ebola virus last week. The Uganda Virus Research Institute, the Makerere University Lung Institute, and Uganda’s Ministry of Health are working with the WHO to carry out the trial. At least 40 percent of people infected with the Sudan Ebola virus die.