WHO chief visits Uganda amid deadly Ebola outbreak

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited Uganda on Monday to assess the nation's response to a deadly Ebola outbreak. The virus has spread from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, where it has caused significant casualties.

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I am in Uganda, where the government has mounted a prompt and capable response to the outbreak of Ebola.

Uganda has implemented a "prompt and capable response" to the outbreak, according to Tedros. Border screening has been effective in detecting cases arriving from the DRC, and the country's surveillance, testing, and case management systems are reportedly working steadily. "Screening at the borders helped detect cases arriving from neighbouring DRC, and the country’s surveillance, testing and case management systems are doing steady work," Tedros wrote on the social platform X.

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Screening at the borders helped detect cases arriving from neighbouring DRC, and the country’s surveillance, testing and case management systems are doing steady work.

Of the 19 confirmed cases in Uganda, 14 involved individuals who entered from the DRC, and five are Ugandan nationals. Tragically, two people from the DRC have died. This outbreak is the 17th to affect the DRC, which has recorded 515 confirmed infections and 91 deaths. The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, for which there is no specific vaccine or treatment.

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Of the 19 confirmed cases so far, 14 were among people who entered from DRC and five are Ugandan nationals.

The WHO is providing support to Uganda, collaborating with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other regional partners. Tedros expressed confidence that continued collaboration would bring the outbreak under control.

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Sadly, two people from DRC have died, and our thoughts are with their families.