In a significant public health achievement, Uganda officially declared an end to its latest Ebola outbreak on Friday, marking a triumphant conclusion to a months-long battle against the deadly virus.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Aceng, made the announcement, confirming that the country has remained free of new Ebola cases for 42 consecutive days—twice the virus’s maximum incubation period—allowing health officials to officially declare the outbreak over.
“Today marks a momentous occasion for our nation. Through extraordinary cooperation among our government, healthcare workers, international partners, and local communities, we have once again demonstrated our resilience in the face of a deadly epidemic,” stated Dr. Aceng.
The outbreak, identified as Sudan Virus Disease, a strain of Ebola, was first detected in September 2024 in Uganda’s central region. The initial cases sparked fears of a potential widespread epidemic similar to those that have previously devastated parts of West Africa. The outbreak response included innovative approaches, such as mobile health clinics that brought testing and treatment services directly to remote villages, enabling early detection even in hard-to-reach areas.
Dr. Aceng emphasized that continued surveillance remains crucial. Currently, Uganda has established permanent monitoring systems in previously affected regions to quickly identify any potential resurgence.
“This victory does not mean we can let our guard down. Ebola remains present in wildlife reservoirs across the region, and new outbreaks are always possible. Our task now is to maintain the systems we’ve built and remain vigilant,” Dr. Aceng added.
Health officials credit the relatively low death toll—55 lives lost compared to thousands in previous regional outbreaks—to Uganda’s rapid response system, which was built upon lessons learned from previous epidemics.
“Uganda has become a model for epidemic preparedness in Africa. Their investment in surveillance systems, trained contact tracers, and community engagement protocols paid dividends in containing this outbreak before it could spiral out of control,” revealed Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
According to Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society, community participation was central to the successful containment effort. Local leaders and community health workers helped overcome initial resistance to health interventions through culturally sensitive education campaigns.
“We couldn’t have succeeded without the trust and cooperation of local communities. When people understand the risks and appropriate preventive measures, they become the first line of defense against disease spread,” Kwesiga stated.
The successful containment serves as a powerful reminder of how international cooperation, combined with strong local leadership and community engagement, can effectively combat even the most alarming disease outbreaks.