KAMPALA — An Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species was confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in May. Ugandan health authorities reported 19 confirmed Ebola cases and one probable case.

World Health Organization (WHO) data recorded two confirmed Ebola deaths and five recoveries in the country. All identified Ebola cases in the country have been linked to travel from the DRC. WHO officials advised against implementing travel restrictions between Uganda and the DRC.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Uganda to assess Ebola outbreak control efforts. Tedros said, "Travel bans are not helpful in controlling Ebola outbreaks and can negatively affect the movement of essential supplies, response teams and commodities needed to support control efforts."

The Ebola Treatment Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital was commissioned within six hours of the outbreak declaration. An Emergency Medical Team, established with support from the WHO and the European Union, was deployed within two hours. This team, comprised of 146 members, is responsible for staffing the treatment unit. There is currently no approved vaccine specifically for the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni noted a reduction in new cases. "Five days now, no new case. It looks like the fire of Ebola has started going down. We stopped it in the past and we can stop it now." Museveni said. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu identified strong community cooperation, newly opened laboratories, and patient recoveries as indicators that the outbreak could be contained. The current outbreak marks the ninth occurrence of the disease in the country.