Uganda Declared Ebola-Free: Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng

The outbreak, first detected on January 30, 2025, after the death of a 32-year-old male nurse, resulted in 14 cumulative cases (12 confirmed and 2 probable), with two confirmed deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Uganda's government, health workers, and communities after the country officially declared the end of its latest Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.

The announcement came today, April 26, 2025, exactly 87 days after the outbreak was first confirmed.

Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, declared the country free of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SUDV) after no new cases were recorded for 42 consecutive days double the minimum incubation period for the virus following the discharge of the last confirmed patient on 14 March 2025.

“This is Uganda’s eighth Ebola outbreak, and once again, we have shown our resilience,” Dr. Aceng said during her address.

She emphasised that the successful containment highlighted Uganda’s leadership in managing major public health emergencies, thanks to strengthened surveillance, response infrastructure, and multi-sectoral support.

The outbreak, first detected on January 30, 2025, after the death of a 32-year-old male nurse, resulted in 14 cumulative cases (12 confirmed and 2 probable) with two confirmed deaths.

Affected districts included Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Buikwe, Jinja, Ntungamo, Fort Portal, and Kagadi. However, swift interventions, including rapid case detection, enhanced contact tracing, community engagement, and strengthened infection prevention measures, played a critical role in halting further spread.

The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was among the first to extend his congratulations.

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“Congratulations to the government and health workers of Uganda on ending the Ebola outbreak. I thank and commend the Ministry of Health for its leadership, and the many responders who protected their communities despite the risk,” he said.

WHO Africa’s Acting Regional Director, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, also praised Uganda’s efforts.

Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda, saluted the country’s leadership and resilience.

“From day one, WHO worked hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health, deploying expertise, providing essential supplies, and ensuring every suspected case was investigated,” he said.

In her declaration, Dr. Aceng highlighted several key interventions that led to the successful containment of the outbreak. These included the activation of a robust surveillance system, intensified community engagement, and the rapid isolation of suspected and confirmed cases.

Over 354 contacts were identified, and 85.2% were successfully quarantined, greatly reducing the risk of secondary infection.

Health facilities across the country were also equipped with strengthened infection prevention measures, preventing outbreaks within public hospitals. Only a single private facility reported healthcare worker infections.

Cross-border surveillance was intensified, with exit screening established at all points of entry to curb the potential spread beyond Uganda’s borders.

Reflecting on the challenge, Dr. Ihekweazu said:

“This is a powerful demonstration of what determined leadership, strong systems, and collective action can accomplish.”

“The detection of the first case in an urban setting presented unique and serious challenges,” he said. “The risk of infection spreading was extremely high. But Uganda’s response, from our technical teams to the frontline workers, was fast, coordinated, and ultimately very effective.”

WHO and Uganda’s government have agreed to continue supporting Ebola survivors through ongoing medical and reintegration programs. Dr. Aceng stressed that recovery from Ebola also needs support for mental health, well-being, and reintegration with communities.