Relief Web

WHO Country Reports

Humanitarian Reform 

Inter Agency Standing

Committee (IASC)

Relief Web

United nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

The outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever was confirmed in the sub counties of Bubukwanga and Kasitu in Bundibugyo district in Western Uganda in November 2007 by a team of experts from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Laboratory analysis confirmed that the virus associated with the outbreak was different from the 3 African Ebola species (namely Zaïre, Sudan and Ivory Coast species) and was therefore considered as a new species of Ebola virus.  A national task force comprising of UN agencies, NGOs, CDC, Uganda Red Society and the IFRC and led by Ministry of Health and WHO coordinated the response at the central level, including production and dissemination of weekly situation reports. In the field, a surveillance system was set up to detect cases and follow up their contacts and  Mobile district teams investigated rumors, obtained clinical specimens for laboratory tests and admitted patients. 

Two isolation wards were established at Kikyo and Bundibugyo hospitals, and health workers trained in appropriate infection control. Social mobilization was done through radio broadcasts, mobile film vans, and distribution of IEC materials to reach at-risk communities. Specimens from suspected cases were referred for laboratory confirmation to a joint CDC and Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) team in Entebbe.

The outbreak was officially declared over in February 2008, with 149 cases and 37 deaths.