CO-Uganda Ebola Outbreak Response Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
On 20th September, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Uganda. This followed the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Mubende district (a rare South Sudan Strain), after a 24-year-old man presented with EVD symptoms and later died. The deceased person lived in Ngabano village of Madudu sub-county in Mubende District. The epidemic came after reports of a strange illness and sudden deaths of six people (Three (3) adults and three (3) children between 1st and 15th September 2022) in the villages of Madudu and Kiruma, also sub-counties of Mubende district . Since the declaration of the Ebola Outbreak, Uganda continues to report a steady stream of new cases, but so far, the illnesses appear to be limited to hot spots in the west-central part of the country near Mubende .

Following the outbreak, the Ministry of Health instituted preliminary containment measures to control the outbreak. This has included locking down the two districts of Kasanda and Mubende (the epicentre of the EVD outbreaks) with measures including an overnight curfew, closing places of worship and entertainment, and restricting movement in and out of the two districts. Community-based surveillance and active case finding has been enhanced.

National, district and settlement-level Ebola task forces have been activated that incorporate other key stakeholders such as UN agencies and government ministries, to fight against both diseases. The taskforce comprises of various committees based onthematic areas of preparedness/response. The coordination comprises Risk Communication <(>&<)> Social Mobilization; Surveillance; Laboratory; Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC); and Case Management. Considering the important role of WASH in EVD controls, thegovernment has placed it as a separate pillar under the EVD response plan. Respective districts of Mubende, Ksanda, Isingiro, Kyegegwa, Kikuube and Kamwenge have developed a Preparedness and Response plan highlighting critical areas of support.

With the increasing EVD cases, on the 8th of November 2022, the minister of Education and Sports ordered for early closure of third term holidays on Friday, November 25 for all pre-primary, primary and secondary schools in the country. This is earlier than the December 9 schedule and meant to prevent the further spread of Ebola among school children.
As of 21st November, 141 cases have been confirmed and 55 deaths  representing a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 39% across seven  districts, including Kampala.

Current risk of EVD spread to refugee Settlements
Uganda has the largest refugee operation in Africa.  At the end of October 2022, the registered refugee and asylum seeker population stood at 1,460,520. The refugees live in 12 districts, with 30 settlements and several transit and reception facilities along the borders in addition to the capital Kampala. Due to inadequate infection prevention systems, the lack of effective control measures, and the presence of traditional practices that can amplify transmission within the settlements, predisposes these settlements to likelihood of EVD transmission to the refugee settlement. As of 21st November 2022, the neighbouring refugee-hosting district of Kyegegwa is reporting 04 cases, signifying the potential risk of spread Kyaka II.