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Ebola Resurgence in Uganda
Health & Pandemics

Ebola Resurgence in Uganda

Severity
8/10
Impact
20people
Trend
improving
Region
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Germany
Uganda’s 2026 Ebola outbreak is now in an enhanced-surveillance phase after no new cases were reported after 21 June 2026, and the last confirmed patient was discharged on 16 July after two negative tests. WHO says Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases and 2 deaths, with all cases reported in Kampala District and no community transmission detected so far. The outbreak is linked to Bundibugyo virus, a form of Ebola for which WHO and MSF report there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making rapid isolation, contact tracing, and infection-prevention measures the core response tools. WHO reports that Uganda’s cases have been associated with health-care settings and cross-border movement, while most cases in the wider 2026 outbreak have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the outbreak has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu.

Recent Developments

01As of 14 July 2026, Uganda had 20 confirmed cases, including 2 deaths and 1 probable fatal case, all in Kampala District; WHO says no new cases had been reported since 21 June 2026.

02The last confirmed Uganda case was discharged on 16 July 2026 after two negative tests, starting the 42-day enhanced-surveillance countdown toward possible outbreak end declaration.

03WHO declared the DRC-Uganda Bundibugyo-virus Ebola event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026.

04CDC reported that Uganda’s outbreak remained confined to Kampala, with 15 imported cases and 5 secondary cases linked to imported cases from the DRC as of early July 2026.

Interventions

  • Enhanced surveillance and the 42-day monitoring period after the last confirmed discharge in Uganda.
  • Daily contact tracing, isolation of confirmed and suspected cases, and restricted travel for contacts under WHO guidance.
  • Cross-border preparedness and response support from WHO, including surveillance, contact tracing, clinical preparedness, supplies, and community engagement.
  • Treatment-center and infection-prevention support from MSF in Kampala, Bwera, and Arua.

What Works

  • Rapid isolation and treatment of confirmed cases in Ebola treatment centers, which WHO identifies as a core containment measure for Bundibugyo-virus disease.
  • Daily monitoring of contacts for 21 days with travel restrictions, which WHO recommends to stop onward transmission.
  • Strong infection prevention and control in health-care settings, which MSF and WHO both emphasize because Uganda’s cases have been linked to health facilities.

How to Help

  • Donate to organizations supporting Ebola response operations, such as WHO partners and medical NGOs active in Uganda and the DRC.
  • Support reputable humanitarian medical organizations working on surveillance, isolation, and infection prevention in affected areas.
  • Advocate for sustained international funding for cross-border outbreak control, health-worker protection, and laboratory capacity.

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Organizations Helping(4)

UNICEF addresses drought-driven school disruption by improving water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools, finalizing school WASH standards and guidelines, and helping design and install climate-resilient water supply systems so schools can keep operating safely during drought conditions.

MSF is responding in Uganda and the DRC by treating patients, setting up Ebola treatment centers and isolation units, and delivering supplies. Its outbreak strategy includes surveillance in affected and at-risk communities, vaccination, infection prevention and control training for health workers, community engagement and health promotion, and strengthening early detection and reporting through alert lines and facility-based notification systems.

UNHCR is involved in Uganda’s Ebola preparedness and response in refugee-hosting areas. The cited outbreak-preparedness work describes UNHCR putting in place Ebola trainings, screening, infection prevention and control measures, and dissemination of information materials to strengthen health and border preparedness for mobile and displaced populations.

OCHA coordinates humanitarian partners, appeals for funding, and helps direct aid to worst-hit districts. In Yemen, OCHA has highlighted nutrition scale-up in badly affected districts and the use of Yemen Humanitarian Fund allocations to support NGOs distributing pre-positioned nutrition supplies.

Sources & Citations

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