Following the outbreak of the sixth Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the country, the people of Uganda have finally announced their freedom since the disease resurfaced on 30 January 2025 in Kampala.
The declaration of the end of EVD follows after the last patient was discharged on 14 March, with a 42-day countdown leading to the deaths of a child and a nurse.
With about 534 people identified as contacts of suspected cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, “During this outbreak, 14 cases, 12 confirmed and two not confirmed through laboratory tests (probable), were reported. Four deaths, two confirmed and two probable, occurred. Ten people recovered from the infection.”
Since the outbreak in the country, Uganda faced the Sudan virus disease (SVD) subtype, marked as a severe strain, killing 4 in 10 infected people, with over 15,000 deaths reported across Africa.
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Although there is no approved vaccine for the Ebola-Sudan strain, free trial vaccines were administered, which witnessed significant improvement.
Meanwhile, WHO described it as the fastest roll-out to tackle the disease.
In a post shared on Uganda’s health ministry X page on Saturday, it was written, “The current Ebola Sudan Virus Disease outbreak has officially come to an end.”
To support their declaration, the ministry added, “This follows 42 days without a new case since the last confirmed patient was discharged on March 14, 2025.”
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, while highlighting challenges met with global funding constraints, said, “This outbreak challenged us in new ways.”
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, hailed the efforts and commitment of health workers and the Ugandan government for winning the battle against EVD.
Ebola, transmitted between two people via body fluids, is highly contagious, with a window period of 2 to 21 days. Symptoms of EVD include fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhoea.
