A new outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola virus has been reported in the central district of Mubende in Uganda.
On Tuesday, the country’s health ministry confirmed that the first death, of a man in his 20s, had occurred from the virus marking the first since 2019.
Taking to Twitter the ministry wrote: "The confirmed case is a 24-year-old male who presented with EVD symptoms and later succumbed.”
The World Health Organisation released an earlier statement explaining that the young man had tested positive for “the relatively rare Sudan strain” of Ebola.
The statement went on to say: "This follows an investigation by the National Rapid Response team of six suspicious deaths that have occurred in the district this month."
Eight other suspected patients are also undergoing treatment for the virus according to the WHO.
Speaking about the latest cases of the virus, WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said: "This is the first time in more than a decade that Uganda is recording the Ebola Sudan strain.
"We are working closely with the national health authorities to investigate the source of this outbreak while supporting the efforts to quickly roll out effective control measures."
Uganda has experienced several Ebola outbreaks in the past, most recently in 2019, when five people died.
It was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when it travelled from its natural host - the bat - to humans.
Since then, it has been the cause of a series of epidemics in Africa, with around 15,000 fatalities as a result.
The virus is transmitted among humans through bodily fluids and some of the main symptoms are fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhoea.
READ MORE:
- Love Island's Paige reveals off scene moment that changed her mind on Adam amid Jacques drama
- Couple come home from Garth Brooks concert with newborn after superstar 'brought on labour'
- Viewers baffled over 'hidden symbol' on Meghan Markle's shoe as she mourns Queen
- RTE Joe Duffy listeners disgusted as dine and dish leaves waiter to pay bill at Irish restaurant
- Budget 2023 just a week away - Here's what to expect from energy credits, social welfare increases and lump sum payments
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
