Why Uganda seems to be winning the battle against Ebola as virus spreads in DR Congo

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has become the second-worst in history, with over 1,500 deaths confirmed. However, Uganda, which also reported infections in May, has managed to curb the virus's spread significantly. The country recorded only 20 cases and two deaths from the virus.

Uganda's health minister described the moment when the last Ebola patient was released from hospital as a time of joy. Dr Kasonde Mwinga, the World Health Organization's chief for Uganda, attributed the low fatality rate to the country's preparedness and investment in Ebola response. She emphasized that Uganda's experience with the disease had taught them how to deal with it effectively.

The current outbreak is the 17th to emerge in DR Congo since the discovery of Ebola 50 years ago, while Uganda has had nine outbreaks since 2000. In a notable example, a 12-year-old girl who arrived at a hospital in 2011 was isolated, treated with protective equipment, and her body sealed in a coffin after she died, effectively halting the spread of the disease.

Uganda's first case of this outbreak was a man from DR Congo who crossed the border for treatment. Upon confirmation of multiple cases imported from DR Congo, Uganda activated a specialist Ebola treatment center at Mulago hospital in Kampala. This facility, previously used during a previous outbreak, had leftover medical supplies and an emergency medical team on standby, allowing for quick readiness.

Uganda acted swiftly to stop the disease's spread, closing the border with DR Congo despite financial implications for Ugandans who travel between the two countries. The country's early detection of Ebola, facilitated by improved surveillance and contact tracing, was crucial in containing the outbreak. In contrast, DR Congo's surveillance and response efforts have been hampered by poor planning, logistical bottlenecks, inexperienced staff, insecurity, and displacement caused by ongoing conflicts.