Uganda: Ebola Outbreak - Jan 2025

On 30 January, the Ministry of Health in Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak (Sudan virus) following the death of a male nurse at the national referral hospital on 29 January. The outbreak was confirmed by three national laboratory postmortem. About 45 contacts in the Central (Kampala) and Eastern (Mbale) regions are under quarantine. The Ministry of Health has been very reactive and with support from WHO has activated all necessary response measures to contain the outbreak including a vaccination campaign – a 72-hour response plan is in the final stage of approval. DG ECHO is exploring to support the response in Mbale through an ongoing project within the district. (ECHO, 31 Jan 2025)

As of 20 February 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease, including one death have been reported from Uganda, since the outbreak was declared on 30 January 2025. Eight cases received care at treatment centres in the capital Kampala and in Mbale and were discharged on 18 February after two negative tests 72 hours apart. As of 20 February 2025, 58 contacts that have been identified are still under follow up in designated quarantine facilities located in Jinja, Kampala, and Mbale. (WHO, 21 Feb 2025)

No new confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease were reported from Uganda during epidemiological week 12 (17 - 23 March 2025). Since the official declaration of the SVD outbreak in Uganda on 30 January 2025, a total of 14 cases (12 confirmed and 2 probable) with four deaths (CFR 28.6%) have been reported. (WHO, 27 Mar 2025)

On 26 April 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Uganda declared the end of the Sudan virus disease (SVD) outbreak after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) since the last person confirmed with SVD tested negative for the virus on 14 March 2025. A total of 14 SVD cases (including 12 confirmed cases and two probable cases) including four deaths (two confirmed and two probable) have been reported during this outbreak. (WHO, 26 Apr 2025)