Immediately marks 35 days of response since Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan virus illness, from the identical household as Ebola virus illness on 30 January 2025. To strengthen coordination and useful resource mobilization efforts, the Ministry of Well being (MoH), with help from the World Well being Group (WHO), organized a strategic companions’ assembly.
The strategic assembly offered a chance to replace companions on the outbreak, assessment the revised danger evaluation, and align priorities with the monetary sources wanted to comprise Ebola. The assembly introduced collectively key stakeholders to reassess response methods in mild of evolving epidemiological developments.
The Ministry of Well being’s Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC), the very best decision-making physique within the Incident Administration System, leads the coordination of response efforts and useful resource mobilization. Because the final SAC assembly on 18 February 2025, the outbreak has developed, necessitating pressing motion.
In her opening remarks, the Minister of Well being, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, detailed the response efforts for the reason that first case of Ebola was confirmed on 29 January 2025. Surveillance has been strengthened by means of energetic case detection and speak to tracing, whereas case administration and an infection prevention measures have been bolstered in well being services. The outbreak has now lasted 35 days, with 14 recorded circumstances – 12 confirmed and two possible circumstances recognized retrospectively.
Eight sufferers have recovered, two stay hospitalized, and two have succumbed to the virus. The unfold of the outbreak past Kampala and Wakiso to Mbale and, most just lately, Ntoroko has elevated the urgency to reassess strategic priorities. Dr Aceng emphasised that whereas Uganda has efficiently contained earlier Ebola outbreaks, securing the mandatory funding stays vital to sustaining the response efforts.
“The nation, working with you, our companions, has the capability to comprise this outbreak. The one hole that exists is the monetary sources required to do the work,” she mentioned.
The WHO Consultant, Dr Kasonde Mwinga, talking on behalf of companions, acknowledged the progress made however harassed the urgency of sustaining momentum within the response. The expanded technical assembly offered a chance to align interventions with obtainable monetary sources and outline priorities for the following 210 days. With new confirmed circumstances rising, the collective dedication of all stakeholders stays very important to stopping additional unfold and defending at-risk communities.
The Incident Commander, Dr Henry Kyobe Bosa, offered a technical replace, highlighting that Uganda faces a twin outbreak state of affairs – Ebola and mpox. Whereas Ebola is characterised by sporadic, multi-district transmission, mpox stays a multi-cluster outbreak with sustained transmission.
At the moment, 486 contacts are beneath follow-up for Ebola, with energetic transmission chains nonetheless being monitored. Encouragingly, all secondary circumstances have been detected amongst listed contacts, demonstrating the effectiveness of surveillance measures. Nevertheless, continued vigilance is required to interrupt transmission.
A vital aspect of the dialogue was the up to date 4W associate matrix, a digital software developed by WHO to trace monetary commitments and useful resource allocations. The most recent evaluation recognized 27 companions actively supporting the Ebola response.
Key points raised through the discussions included the necessity for correct useful resource mapping, improved donor coordination, and the excellence between well being facility and group mortality surveillance. To facilitate focused useful resource mobilization, stakeholders emphasised the necessity for extra frequent state of affairs experiences.
Shifting ahead, companions agreed on key motion factors: updating the 4W matrix to mirror new commitments, guaranteeing the well timed launch of funds, and strengthening coordination by means of the Nationwide Activity Pressure.
The Kampala Capital Metropolis Authority (KCCA) will obtain focused help for its response, whereas ongoing funding negotiations with USAID and the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) shall be finalized to safe extra sources.
With Uganda’s historical past of successfully managing earlier Ebola outbreaks, the Ministry stays optimistic that, with adequate monetary and technical help, this outbreak may be efficiently contained.