Strategies Utilized During Sudan Virus Disease Outbreak Response in Kampala City, Uganda, 2022 - 2023

On October 8, 2022, Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, recorded its first Sudan virus disease (SVD) case. We described strategies utilized by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) during SVD outbreak response in Kampala City from October 2022 - January 2023.

We reviewed daily situation reports submitted by KCCA incident management team to document strategies implemented throughout the SVD response. During SVD After Action Review (AAR), we convened consensus meetings with the Directorate of Public Health and Environment, incident management team, rapid response teams, and representatives from implementing partners. The AAR served as a structured platform for reflection and consensus-building through semi-structured group discussions among stakeholders. Findings were thematically synthesized to identify effective strategies and operational challenges encountered during SVD response in Kampala City.

KCCA established an incident management system to coordinate the SVD response. Daily coordination meetings were held with rapid response teams and implementing partners to address emerging challenges. A centralized call and dispatch center served as the coordination hub for rapid response teams, facilitating timely verification of alerts and response to suspected SVD cases. Case investigation teams established epidemiological linkages among confirmed SVD cases and identified contacts for daily follow up. Designated ambulances were utilized to transport high-risk patients to isolation units, while confirmed cases were referred to Entebbe Ebola Treatment Unit. Infection prevention and control teams provided essential decontamination services and distributed IEC materials to affected health facilities and communities. KCCA also leveraged innovative strategies such as drones to disseminate public health messages, distributed placards with SVD symptoms and preventive measures, and actively engaged business communities, media outlets, and local leaders to enhance public awareness and risk communication.

KCCA's response to the 2022 Sudan virus disease outbreak demonstrated effectiveness of leveraging existing coordination structures, adapting surveillance tools, and engaging communities in a complex city setting. The integration of emergency preparedness efforts and contextualized approaches such as mobile phone tracking, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, school-based interventions, and drone utilization contributed to timely containment. These strategies demonstrate valuable best practices for strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacities in high-risk urban settings.