Uganda: All 8 Ebola patients discharged
In a follow-up on the Sudan ebolavirus outbreak in Uganda, the eight patients who were receiving care at treatment centres in the capital city of Kampala and in Mbale, a town in the east of the country, were discharged after two negative tests were carried out 72 hours apart.
“The patients we are discharging today (February 18) are safe and free of the disease. I urge their families and communities to receive and interact with them normally,” said Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Uganda’s Minister of Health.
On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kampala District.
The index case was a 32-year-old male nurse employed at Mulago National Referral Hospital who subsequently succumbed to the illness at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
In total to date, there were nine confirmed cases, including the index case.
Following this key milestone of discharging all confirmed cases, the Ministry of Health has heightened efforts towards enhancing public awareness, countering misinformation and promoting early care-seeking behaviors to help curb the spread of the virus. This community-driven approach has been vital in the response, with local leaders and health workers at the forefront of public health education and support. It is crucial to maintain vigilance, strengthen infection prevention and control as well as collaboration with communities. If no new cases are confirmed in the next 42 days, the outbreak can be declared over.
Sudan virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates that is due to Orthoebolavirus sudanense (Sudan virus), a viral species belonging to the same genus of the virus causing Ebola virus disease. Case fatality rates of Sudan virus disease have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus. Early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Sudan virus disease. The current mortality rate for the outbreak in Uganda is 11.1%, with the only fatal case being the index patient.