The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited Uganda following a cross-border Ebola outbreak linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising regional health concerns.
Uganda recently recorded confirmed Ebola cases, many traced to individuals entering from DRC, where a larger outbreak has already caused over 500 infections and dozens of deaths.
According to WHO updates, at least 19 confirmed cases have been recorded in Uganda, with both Ugandan nationals and cross-border patients affected. Two deaths have been reported so far.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no specific vaccine or approved treatment, making rapid containment measures critical.
During his visit, Tedros praised Uganda’s response systems, including border screening, surveillance, testing, and rapid case isolation. He also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation between Uganda, DRC, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and international partners.
Health officials have intensified border monitoring, especially in high-traffic areas between both countries, to prevent further spread.
Ebola outbreaks in the DRC are not uncommon, with this being the country’s 17th recorded outbreak, reflecting persistent challenges in managing zoonotic diseases in the region.
WHO has expressed cautious optimism that coordinated response efforts could contain the outbreak if surveillance and community engagement remain strong.
