WHO: There may be more chains of Ebola transmission *1 Update*

Africa, Deaths, Ebola, Health, Infection, Transmission, Uganda, WHO

“The Ministry of Health is investigating the most recent eight cases, as initial reports indicate they were not among known contacts.”

In remarks at a media briefing today, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda “We remain concerned that there may be more chains of transmission and more contacts than we know about in the affected communities.”

Now to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

In total there have now been 60 confirmed and 20 probable cases, with 44 deaths, and 25 people have recovered.

We remain concerned that there may be more chains of transmission and more contacts than we know about in the affected communities.

The Ministry of Health is investigating the most recent eight cases, as initial reports indicate they were not among known contacts.

In addition, two confirmed cases from the Mubende district sought care in the capital Kampala, increasing the risks of transmission in that city.

I’m pleased to see that the government has recognised that risk.

WHO and our partners are continuing to support the Government of Uganda to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading in more regions and countries.

WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at media briefing – 19 October 2022

 

WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at media briefing – 19 October 2022

 

 

UPDATE 1 – 20th October 2022 – “The situation on the ground is rapidly evolving”

Remarks by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti:

Today marks one month since the latest Ebola outbreak in Uganda was declared.

With 64 confirmed cases, three of whom travelled to the capital Kampala, and 25 confirmed deaths, the situation on the ground is rapidly evolving.

The Ministry of Health of Uganda has shown remarkable resilience and effectiveness in constantly fine-tuning the response to what is a challenging situation. The health authorities have rapidly strengthened surveillance, identifying nearly 2000 contacts.

A better understanding of the chains of transmission is helping those on the ground respond more effectively.

WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control (ACDC), and other partners are marshalling response capacities across the Region, to support Uganda and six neighbouring countries.

A US$ 100-million, six-month regional readiness and response plan is being finalised, with an alert management system now fully activated in Kampala for better case detection.

As WHO, we’ve disbursed US$5 million for the response from our Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE), and are providing technical and operational support, while helping with the national coordination of partners.

We’ve deployed 43 technical officers to support the response at national and district level, along with 15 tons of personal protective equipment, 17 vehicles, and various Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) supplies for managing cases. We’ve also sent Ebola kits to set up emergency temporary hospitals.

As always, community engagement is critical to build trust, cooperation and understanding.

WHO:  Press Conference, 20 October 2022

 

 

WHO: 63 confirmed and probable Ebola cases, 29 deaths in Uganda

 

 

 

Image by DFID – UK Department for International Development, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

** This post was originally published on October 19, 2022 **