Uganda reports imported Ebola Bundibugyo case linked to Congolese national's death

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has officially confirmed an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease. The confirmation follows the death of a 59-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who had been admitted to Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala.

The patient presented with a range of severe symptoms, including respiratory distress, fever, epigastric pain, nausea, and difficulty passing urine. His condition deteriorated, and he passed away on May 14, 2026, in the Intensive Care Unit, exhibiting bleeding symptoms.

His body was returned to the DRC later that day. On May 15, the Ugandan Ministry of Health received reports of a suspected Ebola case from DRC public health authorities. A sample collected from the deceased during his treatment was tested at the Central Emergency Surveillance and Response Support laboratory in Wandegeya and returned a positive result for Ebola Bundibugyo.

“This is an imported case from DRC. The country has not yet confirmed a local case,” stated Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. The ministry has since activated its response mechanisms. Teams have been deployed to monitor and screen at border points, especially along the western border, and key transit routes.

Response structures are operational at national and district levels, including a mobile laboratory at Bwera Hospital, isolation facilities, and risk communication efforts. One high-risk contact, a close relative of the deceased, has been isolated, and efforts are underway to quarantine all individuals who had contact with the index case.

Health workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion and adhere to safety precautions. The public has been advised to avoid physical contact with symptomatic individuals, practice frequent handwashing, and avoid contact with bodily fluids. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of safe and dignified burials for suspected Ebola cases, supervised by health teams.

The Ministry of Health assured the public that it remains fully engaged in protecting the population and will provide timely updates on the situation.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)