On 24 July 2019, following the completion of 42 days of follow-up since the last Ebola confirmed case was registered, Uganda was declared Ebola free.
However, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which has affected over 3,000 people continues to spill over into Uganda. On 15 July 2019, Uganda’s Ministry of Health was notified of a Congolese fish trader with Ebola symptoms visiting Mpondwe market in Kasese District.
The case-patient travelled back to Beni in DRC where he tested positive for Ebola at Beni Ebola Treat- ment Unit (ETU) and died. All contacts from this event tested negative for Ebola. On 29 August 2019, a nine-year-old female of Congolese origin tested positive for Ebola.
The case-patient was identified by Uganda’s screeners at Mpondwe main crossing point who referred her to Bwera ETU immediately where she was isolated and later died.
There were no known contacts in Uganda. The Ministry of Health in partnership with Kasese District Local Government and partners continues to respond effectively and strengthen surveillance at the border crossings to prevent the spread of Ebola.