(Reuters) – A chilling health advisory has been issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the alarming surge of Ebola cases in Uganda. Despite no reported cases within the United States, the agency has activated its health alert network to ensure that healthcare professionals and medical practitioners remain vigilant.
Tragedy struck on January 29 when a male nurse in Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital, succumbed to Ebola stemming from the Sudan virus, as confirmed by Ugandan health authorities the following day. This marked the onset of the outbreak that has sparked widespread concern. Notably, this health alert is the first of its kind to be released by the CDC following a temporary halt on external communications imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Historically, previous outbreaks of the Sudan virus have exhibited a mortality rate of approximately 50%, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The health alert network plays a crucial role as CDC’s primary conduit for disseminating vetted information regarding urgent public health crises to a broad audience, including information officers, healthcare providers, clinicians, and health laboratories.
Ebola, a highly infectious disease primarily afflicting humans alongside nonhuman primates like monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas, is caused by a group of viruses. Its transmission occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual or someone who has perished due to the disease. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
(Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
