Kampala: Uganda’s Health Ministry has confirmed the death of a 4-year-old child from the Sudan Ebola virus, marking the second fatality in the country’s latest outbreak of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the child passed away at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, on February 25.

According to Anadolu Agency, the WHO office in Uganda announced the tragic news on X late Saturday. The organization is working closely with Uganda’s Health Ministry and other partners to contain the outbreak and has reaffirmed its commitment to support the nation’s response efforts.

The outbreak was initially confirmed on January 30 when a 32-year-old nurse, the first documented patient, succumbed to the infection. Although Uganda had previously declared that it had “contained” the Sudan Ebola virus outbreak by discharging all eight Ebola patients on February 18, 265 contacts remain under quarantine and are being closely monitored.

The Sudan Ebola virus is one of six species of the Ebola virus, known for causing a severe hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine for the Sudan Ebola virus. However, a clinical trial for a potential vaccine is underway, following WHO’s donation of 2,160 doses of a candidate vaccine and treatments to Uganda.