Uganda has officially declared the end of its recent Ebola outbreak, less than three months after the virus was confirmed in the capital, Kampala—marking a new milestone in the country’s longstanding track record of managing public health emergencies. The outbreak involved the Sudan virus (SVD), a strain with no approved vaccines or treatments, making the response even more challenging.
The outbreak began on January 30, 2025, and a total of 14 cases were reported, including 12 confirmed by laboratory testing and two classified as probable. Four people lost their lives, while ten others recovered. A total of 534 contacts were identified and closely monitored. The last patient was discharged on March 14, triggering the 42-day countdown with no new cases, as required by the World Health Organization (WHO) to officially declare the end of the outbreak.
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Thanks to its prior experience, Uganda’s response was swift, coordinated, and effective. With support from WHO and other partners, the Ministry of Health activated national coordination structures, strengthened surveillance systems, deployed emergency response teams, and established treatment units. Special attention was given to urban centers and border areas to prevent cross-border transmission.
WHO mobilized 129 national and international experts to support key operations such as contact tracing, laboratory diagnostics, and infection prevention and control. Over 1,500 samples were analyzed, and a clinical trial was launched to test the efficacy of candidate vaccines using a ring vaccination strategy. Additionally, Remdesivir was administered under the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Investigational Interventions (MEURI) protocol, representing an innovative approach in the absence of approved therapies.
“Uganda’s leadership and resilience were critical in containing this outbreak,” said Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda. “From day one, we worked side by side with the Ministry of Health to investigate every suspected case and deploy the resources needed.” WHO also engaged anthropologists to help reduce stigma, build community trust, and promote behavior change among affected populations.
With this achievement, Uganda reaffirms its status as a continental leader in managing health crises. Although the outbreak has been contained, local authorities and international partners will continue to invest in surveillance, survivor care, and preparedness to ensure the country remains protected against future outbreaks.
