2022-2023 Uganda Ebola outbreak

2022-2023 Uganda Ebola outbreak
Disease	Ebola virus disease
Virus strain	Sudan ebolavirus
Location	Uganda
Index case	September 2022
Confirmed cases	142
Deaths	55
Government website
Ministry of Health Uganda

The 2022-2023 Uganda Ebola outbreak was a significant public health event involving the Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by the Sudan ebolavirus strain. The outbreak began in September 2022 in the Mubende District of Uganda and spread to several other districts, prompting a national and international response to contain the virus.

Background

Ebola virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans, caused by the Ebolavirus genus. The Sudan ebolavirus is one of the six known species of the virus and has been responsible for several outbreaks in Africa. The disease is characterized by sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.

Outbreak Timeline

The outbreak was first reported on September 20, 2022, when a case was confirmed in the Mubende District. The patient, a 24-year-old male, presented with symptoms consistent with Ebola and later succumbed to the disease. Subsequent investigations revealed several other cases in the region, leading to the declaration of an outbreak by the Ministry of Health in Uganda.

The outbreak spread to other districts, including Kassanda, Kyegegwa, and Kampala, the capital city. The Ugandan government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners, implemented measures to control the spread, including contact tracing, isolation of confirmed cases, and public health education campaigns.

Response and Control Measures

The response to the outbreak involved a multi-faceted approach:

• Surveillance and Contact Tracing: Health authorities established surveillance systems to identify and monitor contacts of confirmed cases. This was crucial in breaking the chain of transmission.

• Isolation and Treatment: Treatment centers were set up in affected areas to provide care for patients and prevent further spread of the virus.

• Vaccination: Although there is no licensed vaccine for the Sudan ebolavirus, experimental vaccines were deployed in a ring vaccination strategy to protect contacts and frontline workers.

• Public Health Education: Community engagement and education campaigns were conducted to inform the public about preventive measures and reduce stigma associated with the disease.

Impact

The outbreak resulted in 142 confirmed cases and 55 deaths, with a case fatality rate of approximately 39%. The outbreak had significant social and economic impacts, disrupting local economies and healthcare services.

Conclusion

The 2022-2023 Uganda Ebola outbreak highlighted the challenges of controlling Ebola in resource-limited settings and the importance of rapid response and international collaboration. The outbreak was declared over in January 2023 after no new cases were reported for 42 days.

Also see

• Ebola virus disease
• Sudan ebolavirus
• Epidemiology of Ebola virus disease
• World Health Organization
• Ministry of Health (Uganda)