Kampala – Uganda today discharged eight patients who had been receiving treatment for Sudan virus disease – which belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease – after two negative tests carried out 72 hours apart. 

The recovered patients were receiving care at treatment centres in the capital Kampala and in Mbale, a town in the east of the country. A total of 216 contacts are currently being monitored in quarantine centres at various facilities in the country. 

Since declaring an outbreak of Ebola disease on 30 January 2025, the Government of Uganda, with strong leadership from the Ministry of Health, supported by World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, has mounted a comprehensive response to halt the spread of the virus. This includes strengthening early detection, clinical care, infection prevention and control as well as community engagement. 

“The patients we are discharging today are safe and free of the disease. I urge their families and communities to receive and interact with them normally,” said Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Uganda’s Minister of Health.

In support of the ongoing government-led response, and in addition to surge workforce deployed by the Ministry of Health, WHO has supported the deployment of 47 health emergency experts, delivered 7 tonnes of emergency medical supplies, supported the deployment of the national Emergency Medical Team, and the setup of treatment centres, including an 84-bed isolation unit in Mulago national hospital. WHO experts have also provided training and technical expertise in disease surveillance, contact tracing, case management, testing and diagnostics.

In addition, the Ministry of Health, with support from experts in WHO launched a ground-breaking vaccination trial soon after the outbreak was declared as well as advancement of research on therapeutics for Sudan virus disease.

“The discharging of the patients today not only marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to control the outbreak, but it also brings huge relief to their families and communities,” said Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda. “While we welcome this positive step, we remain steadfastly on course, working with our partners to support the government halt this virus and end the outbreak.” 

Following this key milestone of discharging all confirmed cases, the Ministry of Health has heightened efforts towards enhancing public awareness, countering misinformation and promoting early care-seeking behaviours to help curb the spread of the virus. This community-driven approach has been vital in the response, with local leaders and health workers at the forefront of public health education and support. It is crucial to maintain vigilance, strengthen infection prevention and control as well as collaboration with communities. If no new cases are confirmed in the next 42 days, the outbreak can be declared over.

The discharged patients, their families and communities will continue to receive psychosocial support from experts within the Ministry of Health working alongside WHO and other partner organisations to ensure a seamless reintegration process.  They will also undergo regular clinical reviews in survivors’ clinics.

Sudan virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates that is due to Orthoebolavirus sudanense (Sudan virus), a viral species belonging to the same genus of the virus causing Ebola virus disease.  Case fatality rates of Sudan virus disease have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus. Early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Sudan virus disease. The current mortality rate for the outbreak in Uganda is 11.1%, with the only fatal case being the index patient.