Italy probes suspected Ebola cases in Milan after travellers return from Uganda

Two people in Milan are suspected of having Ebola after returning from Uganda and developing symptoms such as fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. They are currently in isolation while tests are being carried out. The suspected cases come amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, with the WHO declaring a global health emergency. Confirmation is still pending.

Two people in Milan, northern Italy, are suspected of being infected with Ebola after recently returning from Uganda, raising concern among health authorities amid ongoing outbreaks of the virus in parts of Africa. The individuals, a man and a woman originally from Como, had reportedly spent around three months working as aid workers in Uganda before returning to Italy, according to reports in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
Shortly after their return, both individuals developed symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease. These reportedly included high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and general weakness. The man is said to have experienced severe intestinal complications, while the woman showed neurological symptoms, which further increased concern among medical observers. While these symptoms are serious and align with those seen in viral haemorrhagic fevers, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the cases are Ebola.
The individuals are currently being monitored while medical teams conduct laboratory tests to determine the exact cause of illness. In Italy and across Europe, suspected cases of Ebola are treated as high-priority public health emergencies due to the potential severity of the disease, even though actual importation of cases remains rare.
Ebola virus disease is caused by viruses in the genus Orthoebolavirus. The most dangerous strains responsible for major human outbreaks include Ebola virus (Zaire strain), Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus. The disease is typically transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials and can cause severe internal bleeding, organ failure and, in many cases, death if not treated early with intensive supportive care.
The suspected cases in Italy come at a time when global health authorities are already on high alert due to ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. These outbreaks have raised fears of further spread, especially to neighbouring countries and international travellers who may have been exposed in affected regions.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. The declaration followed a rise in suspected infections, confirmed deaths and evidence that the virus had spread beyond the initial outbreak zones.
Health experts say the designation reflects both the seriousness of the outbreak and the need for coordinated international response efforts, even though the risk of widespread global transmission is still considered relatively low.
The WHO has warned that the situation remains fluid and is being closely monitored due to several worrying factors, including infections among healthcare workers, outbreaks occurring in urban centres, and the continued movement of people across borders in affected regions.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has described the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as “extremely serious and difficult,” noting that in some areas the virus appears to be spreading faster than response teams are able to contain it. He emphasised the importance of strengthening surveillance, vaccination where available, and rapid response systems to prevent further escalation.
Public health agencies across Africa are also on alert. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned that several countries remain at risk of potential outbreaks due to regional movement and cross-border trade. These include Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia.
In Italy, health authorities are expected to complete laboratory testing and contact tracing to determine whether the suspected cases in Milan represent Ebola infections or another illness with similar symptoms. Isolation protocols have been activated as a precaution, and medical teams are working to ensure that any potential risk of transmission is contained.
While confirmed Ebola cases outside Africa remain extremely rare, past incidents have shown that rapid identification, strict isolation measures and swift international coordination are critical in preventing wider spread. For now, officials are urging calm while awaiting test results, but the situation continues to be closely monitored given the seriousness of the disease.