Uganda’s Ministry of Health has officially declared an end to the country’s most recent Ebola outbreak, three months after the first confirmed case of the Sudan strain of the virus was reported in the capital, Kampala.

The outbreak, which began in late January 2025, was traced back to a 32-year-old male nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital. His diagnosis was confirmed postmortem, prompting a swift response from the government and health authorities. More than 265 individuals were identified through aggressive contact tracing, with 90 completing quarantine without developing symptoms.

The Sudan strain of Ebola virus, unlike the Zaire strain, currently has no approved vaccines. However, Ugandan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, launched a clinical study to test a trial vaccine as part of the containment efforts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Uganda’s rapid and coordinated response, highlighting the efficiency of the country’s health teams in managing contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, and treatment. Most patients received care at the main referral facility in Kampala, helping to limit the virus’s spread.

This marks Uganda’s ninth recorded Ebola outbreak since the year 2000. The country’s previous outbreak, between September 2022 and January 2023, resulted in 55 deaths from 164 confirmed and probable cases.

Health officials emphasized that the successful containment of the 2025 outbreak reflects Uganda’s growing expertise in responding to Ebola outbreaks, even in the face of new challenges such as strains without approved vaccines.

The Ministry of Health continues to advise the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases promptly to health authorities.