The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced additional funding to bolster Uganda’s efforts in combating the ongoing Ebola outbreak. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the latest financial support on Thursday, February 13, underscoring the organization’s commitment to assisting the East African nation in containing the virus and preventing further spread.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Dr. Tedros emphasized that WHO has released an additional $2 million to reinforce Uganda’s Ebola response efforts. This new funding brings the organization’s total financial support to $3 million over the past three weeks. The funds will strengthen disease surveillance, enhance laboratory testing, improve logistics, and support infection prevention and control measures in hospitals and treatment centers. WHO teams on the ground are also providing technical assistance and supporting research to better understand and manage the outbreak.

The latest wave of infections was first detected last month after a 32-year-old male nurse working at Mulago National Referral Hospital in the capital, Kampala, succumbed to the disease. Following this, Uganda’s Ministry of Health officially declared an Ebola outbreak and launched a national response strategy.

According to the Ministry, as of Wednesday, nine laboratory-confirmed cases of the Ebola virus had been reported, including one fatality. Health authorities are closely monitoring at least 265 individuals who came into contact with the first confirmed case, aiming to swiftly identify any potential new infections and contain further transmission.

WHO had previously provided an initial $1 million in emergency funding on January 30 and mobilized trial vaccines to support Uganda’s health authorities in managing the outbreak. The additional $2 million announced by Dr. Tedros builds on these efforts, ensuring that Uganda has the necessary resources to strengthen its response and mitigate the impact of the deadly virus.

WHO has reiterated its commitment to working alongside Uganda’s health officials, regional partners, and global health agencies to bring the outbreak under control. The organization continues to urge vigilance, swift containment measures, and international cooperation to prevent further spread and protect communities at risk.