The current Ebola outbreak, confirmed in both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda in May, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine. Health officials note the challenging context for outbreak control, marked by humanitarian pressures, insecurity, and significant cross-border movement.
Uganda has reported a total of 20 cases, with 19 confirmed and one probable. A significant portion of these infections have been linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC.
Encouraging Signs Emerge
Despite the difficulties, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official, who spent the last three weeks in the country, expressed confidence in the outbreak’s controllability.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director of the Health Emergencies Programme, highlighted encouraging indicators such as strong community engagement, newly operational laboratories, and the recovery and discharge of some patients.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Uganda as part of a regional mission to assess outbreak control efforts and support the response.
Following his visit, Tedros stated that Uganda has initiated a robust response, enabling health authorities to rapidly detect and manage cases through its strong surveillance, testing, and case management systems.
‘Preparedness Saves Lives’
Tedros also commended the quality of care provided at the Ebola Treatment Unit within the isolation facility at Mulago Hospital.
The unit became operational within six hours of the outbreak declaration and is managed by 146 members of the Uganda Emergency Medical Team (EMT), established and trained in 2023 with support from the WHO and the European Union.
According to the WHO, the team was deployed within two hours of the outbreak’s declaration.
Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Country Representative in Uganda, emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating, “The unit and personnel we see here exist because of preparedness. Preparedness saves lives.”
Call for Continued Vigilance
Tedros stressed that the risk of further transmission persists and urged for continued vigilance.
He underscored the necessity of sustained cooperation between Uganda and the DRC, noting that no single country can control an outbreak alone. Halting transmission at its source is crucial to mitigate the risk of wider regional spread.
The WHO chief also highlighted the importance of engaging with communities, particularly in border areas spanning both countries.
Public health officials warn that outbreaks become more challenging to control when people are reluctant to report symptoms, participate in contact tracing, or adhere to health directives.
Pushback Against Travel Bans
Tedros reiterated the WHO’s stance that travel bans are not an effective tool for controlling Ebola outbreaks, calling on countries to reconsider their implementation.
“Travel bans do not help in controlling Ebola outbreaks and can negatively impact the movement of essential supplies, response teams, and goods needed to support control efforts,” Tedros said.
Learning from Experience
The current outbreak marks Uganda’s ninth experience with Ebola. The WHO indicated that lessons learned from previous outbreaks have helped the country strengthen its surveillance systems, laboratory networks, and emergency medical teams.
Uganda’s Resident Coordinator for the UN, Leonard Zulu, stated that the UN system is working closely with national authorities under the technical leadership of the WHO.
“We are advancing a unified and coordinated response to strengthen preparedness, protect vulnerable communities, and support national efforts to control the Ebola outbreak,” Zulu said.
