Uganda has formally declared the tip of the Ebola illness outbreak, which was confirmed on 30 January 2025 by Uganda’s Ministry of Well being. The outbreak contaminated 14 individuals, two of whom had been possible (not confirmed by laboratory assessments) and brought about 4 deaths (together with two possible).
Illness outbreaks, comparable to Ebola, Marburg, and yellow fever, aren’t new in Uganda. The nation has confronted a number of outbreaks and, in doing so, has constructed a resilient well being system able to detecting and containing outbreaks quickly. With energetic assist from the World Well being Group (WHO) and different companions, this outbreak once more demonstrated Uganda’s capability to cope with such challenges.
The most recent Ebola illness outbreak occurred within the bustling, extremely cell metropolis of Kampala. In lots of locations, such an announcement might have triggered widespread panic. However, inside 72 hours of affirmation, the Ministry of Well being, actively supported by the WHO and well being companions, activated its response mechanisms. Speedy response groups had been deployed on the bottom, figuring out contacts to the confirmed affected person, amassing samples for testing, organising remedy models, and educating the group about Ebola prevention.
Equally, inside 24 hours of notification, the WHO Deputy Director Basic and Government Director for Emergencies, Dr Mike Ryan, was in Uganda to information WHO’s strategic and operational assist to the response.
“The outbreak occurring in an city setting is of great concern to us, given previous experiences. On this outbreak, each minute is of the essence, and we should arrange quickly to avert a possible catastrophe,” stated Dr Mike Ryan upon arrival within the nation.
WHO mobilized 129 nationwide and worldwide workers to assist the response. They introduced a wealth of technical experience, guaranteeing that WHO’s enter was current at each important stage.
The impression of those efforts was rapidly evident. On 14 March 2025, the final confirmed affected person was discharged, and 534 contacts had been efficiently recognized and adopted up each day. That is no imply achievement given the realm wherein the outbreak occurred. It’s a testomony to Uganda’s strengthened capability to detect and reply to illness outbreaks in step with the Worldwide Well being Laws (2005) (IHR), for which WHO is the principal custodian.
Uganda has now accomplished the 42-day obligatory countdown with out a confirmed Ebola case. Throughout this important interval, WHO labored intently with the Ministry of Well being to conduct energetic case search and mortality surveillance to make sure that no potential chains of transmission went undetected.
It’s necessary to acknowledge the groundwork that made this speedy response potential. WHO’s presence on the bottom by way of its regional hubs and prior technical management in serving to Uganda develop a multisectoral preparedness and response plan had been pivotal. These supplied clear course for all responding actors, enabling efficient coordination, optimizing useful resource allocation, and stopping duplication.
One other key enabler was the swift deployment by WHO of 165 multidisciplinary Speedy Response Staff members (RRTs) to hotspot districts. These members strengthened native capability for alert administration, case investigation, and get in touch with tracing, even in distant areas. Backed by WHO’s technical coaching and instruments, the RRTs labored hand in hand with district groups to make sure that no case went undetected. This sturdy collaboration helped halt the additional unfold of the illness.
Particular consideration was additionally given to frame well being. With the worldwide crucial to forestall cross-border transmission, well being staff had been quickly reoriented, thermal scanners had been deployed, and screening protocols had been enforced at 13 key entry factors, particularly at Entebbe Worldwide Airport.
The laboratory response was equally strong. Over 1500 samples had been collected, transported, and examined, with nationwide labs rising to the problem. Because of WHO’s prior technical assist, Uganda had the capability to handle samples beneath strict biosafety and high quality requirements. Laboratory groups on the Uganda Virus Analysis Institute and Central Public Well being Laboratories dealt with the workload professionally and effectively, incomes reward for his or her fast turnaround.
On the coronary heart of the response was a brave and well-prepared case administration group. Geared up with WHO Ebola provides designed to guard well being staff and assist scientific care, they handled sufferers with professionalism and care. Of the 12 confirmed instances, two sufferers succumbed, whereas the remaining had been efficiently handled and reintegrated into their communities. Two possible instances had been recognized after their loss of life, subsequently not managed within the remedy heart.
WHO-supported 78 Emergency Medical Groups (EMTs) additional bolstered case administration efforts. These extremely skilled and well-equipped groups ensured the secure transportation and remedy of sufferers throughout affected areas, delivering high-quality care at each step.
For the second time in an Ebola outbreak brought on by the Sudan virus in Uganda, WHO deployed anthropologists, threat communication consultants, and group engagement groups. These specialists labored straight with communities to deal with stigma, distrust, and misinformation, whereas offering real-time public well being info. Their efforts had been instrumental in gaining belief and reinforcing security practices.
Regardless of the absence of a licensed vaccine in opposition to the Sudan virus, candidate vaccines are in varied phases of scientific trials, really helpful by the unbiased WHO candidate vaccine prioritisation working group. Inside 4 days of the federal government’s declaration of the outbreak, a randomized scientific trial for vaccine security and efficacy utilizing the ring vaccination strategy was launched. As well as, the administration of Remdesivir remedy beneath the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Experimental Interventions (MEURI) protocol was initiated.
Ecological research aimed toward figuring out the supply of an infection had been initiated and are persevering with. These are necessary as a result of they assist to anticipate dangers of outbreaks in addition to guarantee well being methods are effectively ready and able to detect outbreaks early and reply successfully.
Behind the scenes, coordination and accomplice engagement performed essential roles. WHO was answerable for aligning assets, decreasing duplication, and maximizing impression. By way of its coordination position, WHO mapped out key stakeholders and facilitated efficient useful resource use in any respect ranges of the response.
No profitable outbreak response is full with out satisfactory monetary backing. Up to now, WHO has mobilized and utilized US $6.2 million for this response. This assist, together with in-kind contributions of important medicines, provides, and tools, has been very important in sustaining the momentum of operations.
WHO acknowledges and deeply appreciates all companions who contributed by way of the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE), together with: Germany, Norway, Eire, Canada, France, New Zealand, Kuwait, Portugal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Estonia, and the WHO Basis. Because of the UK, the Republic of Eire, the Netherlands, the European Fee – Well being Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA), Worldwide Improvement Analysis Centre (IDRC), European Fee – European Civil Safety and Humanitarian Assist Operations (DG ECHO) and the African Public Well being Emergency Fund (APHEF) for supporting WHO’s interventions.
Because the state of affairs in Uganda stabilizes, this outbreak highlights three clear classes: early preparedness saves lives, speedy response is important, and WHO’s assist stays very important, not just for Uganda, however for international well being safety.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Workplace for Africa.
