September 25, 2022
1 min read

7 confirmed cases amid Uganda’s rare strain of Ebola virus

Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. It has six different strains, three of which, Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire, have previously caused large outbreaks…reports Asian Lite News

Uganda has reported seven confirmed cases, including one death, amid the latest outbreak of the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, announced Henry Kyobe, incidence commander in Uganda’s Ministry of Health.

Kyobe made the announcement on Thursday at an online press briefing held by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, based in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, adding that the epidemic “appears to have started around the beginning of September”.

Kyobe said that the country has reported seven cases that possibly died of Ebola before the confirmation of the outbreak, noting that the health authorities are working on contact tracing and repurposing Covid-19 treatment centres.

The WHO said on Tuesday that a sample taken from a 24-year-old man was identified as the relatively rare Sudan strain. It is the first time in more than a decade that the Sudan strain has been found in Uganda, which also saw an outbreak of the Zaire strain of Ebola virus in 2019.

Existing vaccines against Ebola have proved effective against the Zaire strain but it is not clear if they will be as successful against the Sudan strain, according to WHO in an earlier statement.

Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. It has six different strains, three of which, Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire, have previously caused large outbreaks.

Case fatality rates of the Sudan strain have varied from 41 per cent to 100 per cent in past outbreaks. The early roll-out of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Ebola, according to the WHO.

ALSO READ-Kenya on alert as Ebola resurfaces in Uganda

Previous Story

Flood-hit Pakistan pins hopes on Russian wheat

Next Story

Algeria to increase gas supply to Italy

Latest from -Top News

Trinidad Eager to Deepen Ties with India: Envoy

Trinidad and Tobago, home to a large Indian-origin population—many of whom are now in their fifth and sixth generations—offered a unique cultural resonance to the visit….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra

Labour peer David Lipsey found dead

In the House of Lords, Lord Lipsey was known for his dedication to social justice and his commitment to improving the lives of others The Labour peer, Lord David Lipsey, has been

UK Space Agency set to clean up space debris

Efforts to clean up space debris mark a pivotal step in the UK’s efforts to protect vital space infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety of the orbital environment The UK Space Agency

UK shuts both its Afghan resettlement schemes

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy has fulfilled its initial objective of supporting Afghans who worked alongside the UK military The government has announced the closure
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Uganda Ready For Global Investments

The Ugandan Government and representatives welcome UAE businesses to visit,

Ugandan food science and nutrition pioneer awarded honorary degree

In her acceptance speech, Joyce thanked Dr. Olatunde Oluwatola from