Italy Reports Two Suspected Ebola Cases After Return From Uganda

Italian health officials issued an alert after two people returning from Uganda developed symptoms consistent with Ebola. A 31-year-old man from Bulgarograsso and a 33-year-old woman from Lurate Caccivio were transferred to Sacco Hospital in Milan. The pair had spent three months in Uganda providing humanitarian aid.

They reported high fever, nausea, and vomiting within 24 hours of their return. Other family members traveling with them are under monitoring in the Lombardy region.

The World Health Organisation raised the alarm earlier this month after confirming Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo caused by a rare strain. The Congolese Ministry of Communication reported nearly 1,000 suspected cases and 220 deaths, concentrated in Ituri province.

The African Centre for Disease Control has directed ten neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Zambia, to increase border screening. Five cases have already been recorded in Uganda.

Lombardy regional welfare minister Guido Bertolaso stated that emergency procedures were activated after the two individuals showed symptoms. He noted that seven Italian citizens from two families had returned from an area near the DRC and Rwanda borders.

Bertolaso said diagnostic results are expected on Tuesday and that malaria remains a possible alternative diagnosis. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the WHO, said the outbreak is outpacing response efforts and that bordering countries face the highest risk.