Ebola Scare as 11-Year-Old Boy Dies in Kitgum

An 11-year-old refugee boy from Paluda Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District has died at Kitgum General Hospital, raising concerns over a possible Ebola outbreak in the region.

The boy was admitted to the hospital on March 2, 2025, after being referred from Paluda Health Center III in Palabek Ogili Sub-county, Lamwo District.

He presented symptoms similar to Ebola, including bleeding from the gums and nose. Despite efforts by medical staff, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he passed away on Tuesday evening.

Titus Komakech, the Surveillance Focal Person at Kitgum General Hospital, confirmed that the boy exhibited Ebola-like symptoms before his death. “After admission, the boy showed signs similar to Ebola, and our medical team worked hard to manage his condition. Unfortunately, his health took a turn for the worse, and he passed away,” Komakech said.

According to Komakech, the boy’s father, a South Sudanese refugee, had recently traveled to South Sudan and returned to the settlement before his son fell ill. However, the father has not shown any symptoms of the disease.

Health officials have identified six close contacts, including the boy’s mother, and are coordinating with Lamwo medical teams to quarantine them as they await laboratory test results to determine whether they have contracted the virus.

“We are working closely with the Lamwo District Task Force to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent the spread of the disease,” Komakech added. Samples from the deceased have been sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for testing, with results expected within 24 to 48 hours. The boy’s body remains at Kitgum General Hospital mortuary.

Ebola is a highly infectious and deadly disease that spreads through human-to-human contact, causing severe bleeding, organ failure, and death. Komakech urged the public to remain calm but vigilant and to report any suspected cases immediately.