A rare strain of Ebola has re-emerged in Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Province alarming the nation and already claiming 65 lives while leaving 246 suspected cases under investigation.
The outbreak, confirmed by health officials has crossed the borders into Uganda, reporting its first imported case.
The Uganda Ministry of Health announced that a 59 year-old man who had traveled from Congo died at Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala after showing symptoms of the disease. In response, Uganda has activated emergency response, including setting up isolation wards, screening at border points and contact tracing.
The first outbreak was discovered in 2007 in Uganda’s Bundibugyo District. It has been difficult to track the virus due to its symptoms resembling that of malaria and typhoid in early stage, though is considered less deadly than other strains.
Authorities in South Sudan have stepped out for surveillance and community awareness campaigns to help contain the disease as they have heightened their borders to monitor the virus.
Images show health workers in full protective gear, spraying disinfectant and isolating suspected cases, demonstrating the readiness for the crisis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dispatched emergency teams to both Congo and Uganda to coordinate surveillance, treatment and community awareness campaigns.