KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has officially declared the end of its latest Ebola outbreak after going 42 consecutive days without a single new infection, the country’s health ministry announced.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the development in a statement, reporting that the outbreak led to a total of 14 cases—12 of which were laboratory-confirmed, while two were classified as probable. Four people died, including two confirmed and two probable cases, while ten others successfully recovered from the disease.
The outbreak was linked to the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, a variant for which no licensed vaccine currently exists. In response, Ugandan health authorities swiftly authorized the use of a vaccine under clinical trial for frontline health workers and those who had close contact with infected individuals.
The initial case was detected in the capital city of Kampala, following the death of a male nurse, prompting rapid public health measures to contain the spread.
This marks the ninth time Uganda has recorded an Ebola outbreak since the first occurrence in 2000. The country, home to dense tropical forests that serve as natural reservoirs for the virus, remains on high alert for future flare-ups. Despite the frequency, Uganda has been lauded for its swift and coordinated responses that have consistently prevented widespread transmission.
The world’s deadliest Ebola outbreak occurred in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, claiming over 11,300 lives and underscoring the deadly potential of the virus if not contained.
As the nation reflects on its response, health officials continue to emphasize vigilance, early detection, and investment in vaccine research to stay ahead of potential future outbreaks.
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