Uganda has officially declared the end of the Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak after completing the mandatory 42-day countdown with no new confirmed cases. The declaration was made in less than three months since the outbreak was detected in Kampala, the capital city.
Key Highlights
- Uganda declared the end of the Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak on 30th January 2025.
- The declaration followed 42 consecutive days without any new confirmed cases, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
- This was Uganda’s second Ebola outbreak in less than three years.
- The outbreak started in Kampala, a densely populated city of about 4 million people, serving as a key transit hub to eastern Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
- The latest outbreak was caused by the Sudan virus strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine exists.
- The administration of Remdesivir under the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Experimental Interventions (MEURI) protocol was initiated during the outbreak.
Background
- Uganda is prone to Ebola outbreaks due to its proximity to tropical forests, which are natural reservoirs for the virus.
- The latest outbreak was Uganda’s ninth Ebola outbreak since 2000.
- Uganda borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks, including the major outbreak from 2018-2020, which resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths.
About Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD)
- Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) is caused by the Sudan virus strain, one of the species within the Ebola virus family.
- It is a severe and often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates.
- Historical data shows a case fatality rate of approximately 40% for the Sudan virus strain.
Criteria for Declaring a Country Ebola-Free:
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, a country is declared Ebola-free after completing 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles) without reporting any new confirmed cases.
About Sudan Virus Disease (SVD)
- The outbreak in Uganda was caused by Sudan virus subtype of Ebola.
- The Sudan strain is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and primates.
- In previous outbreaks, SVD has had a fatality rate of around 40% (4 in 10 infected individuals).
- No approved vaccines or treatments currently exist for the Sudan virus strain; vaccines are still in clinical trials.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
- Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare but severe and often fatal viral disease affecting humans and other primates.
- Caused by viruses in the filovirus family (ebolaviruses).
- Transmission: Through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or tissues.
- Symptoms: Headache, muscle pain, vomiting blood, bleeding, fever, and weakness.
Key Facts about EVD:
- Treatment: No specific antiviral treatment; care is supportive and symptom-focused.
- Vaccine: A vaccine is available for Zaire ebolavirus but not for Sudan virus.
- Outbreaks: Sporadic outbreaks have occurred in Africa since 1976.
- Mortality Rate: The average fatality rate is around 50%, ranging from 25% to 90% depending on the outbreak.