Strengthening the maternal and child health responses to Ebola outbreaks in Uganda.

Uganda was declared Ebola free on Jan 11, 2023. 1 European Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlEbola outbreak in Uganda, as of 11 January 2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ebola-outbreak-ugandaDate: 2023 Date accessed: April 3, 2023 Google Scholar Although Uganda had successfully dealt with previous outbreaks of Ebola virus disease, this outbreak was of particular concern due to several factors, 2 The Lancet Infectious DiseasesEbola returns: back to square one. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022; 221513 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar such as the causative strain, the Sudan strain, having limited therapeutic and vaccine options, that the epidemic started in a district on a major transport link, and that the start of the outbreak occurred during a time in which Uganda was still recovering from the shock of COVID-19. 2 The Lancet Infectious DiseasesEbola returns: back to square one. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022; 221513 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar Having recently commented on the negative effects of COVID-19 on maternal and child services in Uganda, 3 Burt JF Ouma J Lubyayi L et al. Indirect effects of COVID-19 on maternal, neonatal, child, sexual and reproductive health services in Kampala, Uganda. BMJ Glob Health. 2021; 66102 Crossref PubMed Scopus (45) Google Scholar reflections on the response to the most recent outbreak of Ebola and its interplay with maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) might facilitate appropriate preparation for possible future outbreaks.