A four-year-old child has died of Ebola in Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Saturday, marking the outbreak’s second fatality.
The child was treated at Kampala’s main referral hospital and died Tuesday, raising concerns about disease surveillance and response efforts.
Ugandan officials had hoped the outbreak was under control after discharging eight recovered patients, but investigations into its source continue.
The first victim, a male nurse, died on January 30 after seeking treatment at multiple facilities, including a traditional healer.
With no approved vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola, WHO supports daily screenings of 20,000 travelers at Uganda’s borders.
Funding concerns have grown after U.S. aid cuts forced some health groups to halt Ebola screening efforts, affecting 85 health workers.
Dr. Charles Olaro of Uganda’s Health Ministry acknowledged the challenges, urging adjustments as the country battles the deadly virus.
Uganda’s last outbreak killed 55 people before ending in January 2023, amid rising cases of viral hemorrhagic fevers in East Africa.