Health officials are expressing alarm over the Trump administration’s suspension of funding to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), fearing it will worsen the Ebola crisis in Uganda.
The current Ebola outbreak in Uganda began when a nurse in Kampala contracted the Sudan virus, ultimately leading to the nurse’s death. The outbreak has now resulted in six confirmed cases and six suspected cases, with some showing no clear connection to the virus.
Health experts warn that without adequate funding, critical global health efforts are stalling. The lack of necessary resources delays vital interventions, complicating the response to this deadly virus.
The Sudan virus remains highly dangerous, with previous outbreaks showing a fatality rate of at least 41%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There is no FDA-approved treatment for the virus, exacerbating the urgency of swift action.
The freeze on foreign aid has strained health nonprofits, leaving many US-funded operations paused or drastically reduced. More than a dozen Americans in Uganda have been exposed to the virus, though none have shown symptoms as of now, CBS News reported.
A US official revealed that the aid suspension has led to understaffed contact tracing efforts in Uganda. Many experts, once funded by the US, have been laid off or are unable to assist.
Uganda’s Health Ministry, with support from USAID, urged local staff to volunteer in a spirit of patriotism amidst the uncertainty.
Meanwhile, USAID’s direct-hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally starting at noon on Friday.