Snapshot: 2012 Ebola Outbreak Response in Uganda

CDC Recognized as Uganda Ebola Outbreak Officially Declared Over

CDC was among the many agencies and partners invited by the Uganda Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization to participate in an event on October 4 in Kibaale District at which the recent Ebola outbreak was officially declared to be over. CDC was thanked for its support to the months-long effort and received a Certificate of Recognition acknowledging its important role in the effort.

On July 28, 2012, the Uganda Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Sudan ebolavirus) in Kibaale. CDC-Uganda and CDC headquarters were part of the outbreak response from the very start—supporting the government of Uganda through laboratory testing at CDC’s dedicated Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) laboratory in Entebbe, contact tracing of all those who may have had contact with suspect or confirmed cases, providing critical supplies, and more. By the end of the outbreak on October 4, a total of 24 cases were identified with 17 deaths.

During this same period, CDC’s VHF laboratory in Uganda confirmed a Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). CDC’s Uganda office provided support to the response through laboratory testing and coordination and movement of laboratory equipment, supplies, staff, and samples. The DRC Ministry of Health also sent a laboratory specialist to CDC’s Uganda office for training on Bundibugyo ebolavirus serology assays.

View photos of Ebola outbreak in Uganda