The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has visited Uganda as authorities intensify efforts to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak that has spread from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak, which was declared in northeastern DRC last month, has prompted the WHO to classify the situation as an international health emergency amid growing regional concerns.
According to the UN health agency, DRC has recorded 515 confirmed Ebola cases, including 91 deaths, making it the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak.
During his visit to Uganda, Tedros praised the country’s response measures, saying border screening and surveillance systems had helped identify infected travellers entering from DRC.
“I am in Uganda, where the government has mounted a prompt and capable response to the outbreak of Ebola,” Tedros wrote on X.
“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.”
The WHO chief said Uganda had confirmed 19 Ebola cases linked to the outbreak, with most infections imported from DRC.
“Of the 19 confirmed cases so far, 14 were among people who entered from DRC and five are Ugandan nationals,” he said.
Tedros also confirmed that two people from DRC had died after crossing into Uganda.
“Sadly, two people from DRC have died, and our thoughts are with their families,” he added.
A WHO spokesperson said Tedros met a senior Ugandan health ministry official on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen regional coordination against the disease.
Health experts remain concerned because the current outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no specific vaccine or treatment.
The WHO said it is working alongside the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners to support Uganda’s response.
“With c collaboration, I am confident this outbreak can be brought under control,” Tedros said.
Authorities across East and Central Africa have stepped up surveillance and border monitoring in a bid to prevent further cross-border transmission of the virus.
