Three additional cases of the Ebola virus have been reported in Uganda, raising the total number to 12 since the outbreak began in late January, according to an announcement from the African Union’s health agency, Africa CDC, on Thursday.
“There is a new cluster that has been identified,” stated Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff at Africa CDC, during a video conference. He noted three confirmed cases and two probable ones.
Sixty-nine individuals have been identified as contacts, and “all are currently being monitored,” added Ngongo.
Since late January, Uganda has been grappling with a new outbreak of the Ebola virus, resulting in two fatalities, including a four-year-old child and a nurse.
According to the Africa CDC, five districts in the country are affected.
This outbreak, caused by the Sudan strain of Ebola, presents a “significant challenge,” emphasized Ngongo, who clarified that “efforts are being made throughout the country to enhance contact surveillance.”
In mid-February, Ugandan authorities assured that the outbreak was “contained” following the recovery of eight patients from this often fatal hemorrhagic fever.
On Monday, the United Nations launched an appeal for $11.2 million to address the outbreak after the United States announced a suspension of most of its humanitarian aid.
