Ebola (Sudan strain) outbreak in Uganda

On 30 January 2025, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed a case of Sudan Ebola virus disease in the capital, Kampala. The confirmed case was an adult male nurse who initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment from a traditional healer as well as at multiple health facilities. During the outbreak a total of 14 cases (12 confirmed, two probable) and 4 deaths (two confirmed, two probable) were reported. Uganda declared the end of the outbreak on 26 April 2025.

Just four days after the outbreak was announced, Uganda’s MoH, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners launched a vaccine trial for Ebola from the Sudan species of the virus.  This was the first clinical trial of this vaccine for efficacy, the first trial of this vaccine during an outbreak, and the first to be set up at this speed. WHO said the speed was achieved through advanced research preparedness, while ensuring full compliance with national and international regulatory and ethical requirements.

Sudan Ebola virus disease has high case fatality, from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks, and the risk of potential serious public health impact from this latest outbreak of the disease is high. This is the eighth Ebola outbreak in Uganda. In September 2022, the country’s first Sudan Ebola virus disease outbreak in a decade was confirmed. In total during this outbreak, there were 164 cases (142 confirmed and 22 probable), 55 confirmed deaths and 87 recovered patients. On 11 January 2023, the Government of Uganda declared the end of the outbreak.

Social science insights from previous Ebola outbreaks can inform response, across pillars. Explore resources created by SSHAP and others on social science dimensions of the response.