Ebola outbreak under control, says Uganda government

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The minister for health, Ruth Aceng, has reassured the public that the country is under the attack of an Ebola outbreak from southern Sudan, adding that the government through the support of development partners in particular the World Health Organization is under control.

"It’s true the country is under attack of Ebola in eastern Uganda but it’s not politically or economically motivated. Uganda subscribes to the international convention" Aceng said.

Announcing the spread of the Sudan Ebola virus disease (SVD), the Uganda government reported one person succumbed to the virus last week. Before transfer to Mulago National Referral Hospital, the deceased had sought treatment at Mbale Hospital.

Two of his contacts were hospitalized.

"Despite the outbreak of Ebola, the government through the Ministry of Health is strong on the ground to make sure that there are no more infections and ensure that Ebola is controlled," Aceng said earlier today (Wednesday, February 5).

Aceng also reassured Ugandans and international communities that Ebola has been contained, adding that Uganda is safe for international guests and tourists.

She dismissed as false reports that the government Ebola declaration was aimed at stopping the opposition from holding massive rallies during primaries.

"It’s unfair for people to start politicising the Ebola outbreak. We should not mix Ebola with politics because Ebola is a deadly virus that needs a collective effort to see that it's contained. Politicisation of the Ebola may increase popular skepticism as Ebola can perceived as a ‘political tool’ to interrupt the elections and prevent people from voting and supporting candidates." Aceng quipped.

Aceng in the company of the Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Michael Ryan, was addressing Mbale district officials in Mbale city. After the meeting, the team inspected the isolation centre located along Pallisa Road in Mbale City.

The Ebola outbreak in the eastern was declared on January 30, 2025, and the victims passed through Mbale Regional referral hospital and other clinics making it deadly due to huge contacts to be traced.

In less than two weeks later, it has resulted in over confirmed case investigation, 101 contacts listed, 95% in quarantine at 4 institutional quarantine centres at 40% Manpower, 8% IUIU, 24% Mt Elgon School of Nursing, 28% Mbale School of Nursing.

Meanwhile, the Mbale has established and functionalized a regional alert desk, and oriented selected VHTs in high-risk villages on CBDS.

Measures

Dr Aceng predicted that with full engagement of communities and media, the outbreak would come to an end in a few months.

"We have good reasons for this optimism, the caseload will be falling with a sharp decline because the team is on ground to see that Ebola is contained at all costs" she added.

Dr Michael Ryan who leads WHO’s response to disease outbreaks, humanitarian crises and other public health emergencies noted that effective community engagement and mobilisation also means that information about Ebola comes not only from medical staff, international organisations or the government but also from community leaders and individuals recognised and trusted by their community.

He said that by taking into account community dynamics, there is a need to lay the groundwork for a more decentralised response and better communication flows.

"We should have centres managed by local organisations trained and supported by the Ministry, with key information on the disease, good sanitation and hygiene practices and prevention measures and how to react should symptoms appear.

As the local population receives the information directly from local and community-recognised organisations, a domino effect helps spread good practices in the community, and fight disinformation." he said.

These centres he argued should provide information to the community and also gather feedback about response actions and teams.

Dr Ryan said that response and clear information-sharing NGOs, UN agencies and government institutions is essential in any response, but particularly so in an Ebola crisis, where a fast and effective response is necessary to stop transmission.

"Efforts to address Ebola must remain consistent, and response capacities should be maintained in high-risk areas until the epidemic is over, even where Ebola seems to be under control." Dr Ryan added.

"The government of Uganda with help from WHO looks forward to designing a post-Ebola strategy that includes early recovery, such as providing livelihood support to families affected by Ebola and capacity-building of local organisations," Dr Ryan said.

"As this crisis has demonstrated, community engagement that goes hand-in-hand with coordination is a fundamental factor in successfully fighting this disease," he said.

Earlier this week, Uganda launched a vaccination campaign on Monday prioritizing health workers at Mulago National Referral Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. The bereaved family who got into contact with the index case, the health worker who died on Jan. 29, will also receive the doses.

The WHO has donated 2,160 doses of the Ebola trial vaccine to Uganda to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine in combating the virus.

Mbale status report: Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

Risk categorization for contacts: 26 very high, 27 high, 48 low risk.

Daily contact follow-up rate at 100%

Safety measures:

• Avoid contact with symptomatic patients. their bodily fluids, bodies and or bodily fluids from deceased patients.
• Avoid consumption of bush meat and contact with wild animals, both alive and dead.
• Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before consumption.
•  Wash hands regularly using soap or antiseptics.
•  Ensure safe sexual practice.