On Apr. 26, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Uganda has declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak, less than three months after the virus was confirmed in the capital Kampala.

The Ebola strain that has been contained in Uganda is of the Sudan virus disease (SVD) subtype. This strain is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. In past outbreaks, SVD killed 4 in 10 of the people infected

During this outbreak, 14 cases, 12 confirmed and two not confirmed through laboratory tests (probable), were reported. Four deaths, two confirmed and two probable, occurred. Ten people recovered from the infection. A total of 534 people were identified as having been in contact with the confirmed and probable cases and were closely monitored.

The last confirmed patient was discharged on 15 March 2025, triggering the 42-day countdown to officially declare the end of the outbreak, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

This was Uganda’s second Ebola outbreak in less than three years. It was confirmed on 30 January 2025. The country’s long-standing experience in managing outbreaks enabled a fast, coordinated, and effective response.

WHO mobilized more than 130 national and international staff to support the response in the areas of case investigation, contact tracing, laboratory diagnostics, and case management. More than 1500 samples were tested with WHO providing logistics, training and quality assurance to ensure biosafety.

WHO also facilitated the deployment of Emergency Medical Teams and anthropologists to reduce stigma, build trust and work with affected communities, which was critical in driving behaviour change.