When Dr Ezra Mupakasa first developed a fever and headache on January 25, 2025, he suspected it might be something common – fatigue, perhaps, or an ordinary viral infection. As a health worker at Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Uganda, he was used to being cautious and seeing patients come and go with all sorts of symptoms.
This time, recalls Dr Mupakasa, the signs pointed to something more serious. A few days later, the confirmation came: a positive PCR test. Dr Mupakasa had attended to the index case.
Following the confirmation of an outbreak of Sudan virus disease, a strain of the Ebola virus family known for its high fatality rate and with no approved vaccines, the Government of Uganda and partners quickly activated a coordinated response. Sudan virus disease, like other Ebola strains, is a severe illness that spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can be fatal without early and adequate care.
Dr Mupakasa was swiftly evacuated from the quarantine center to the Ebola treatment unit, where he began a 10-day course of treatment. Among the drugs administered was remdesivir, an antiviral that’s been used in outbreak settings. Fortunately, he responded well. On February 18, he was discharged.
But surviving the virus was only part of the story.“Physically, emotionally, psychologically, I am okay,” he says. “But when you live in a community where Ebola is feared, people see you as the disease.”
Even after discharge, some neighbors kept their distance. The lingering fear of touch, proximity, and contamination was hard to shake. “They feared us,” he says. “Even when we told them we had been discharged, it wasn’t until we had our medical certificates that people truly began to believe we were safe.”
Dr Mupakasa considers himself lucky. At the hospital where he works, he was welcomed back. He has been fully reintegrated into the health system, treating patients and working alongside colleagues who trust him and understand the science. He adds, “There are no concerns from my clients, and my colleagues. We get along just fine.”
But not all survivors of Ebola have been as fortunate.Dr Mupakasa explains, “Some people, especially those working in private facilities or part-time at private not-for-profit facilities lost jobs. There’s stigma, and economic fallout.”
This is why Dr Mupakasa is advocating for more structured support for survivors. He believes the government and partners can do more to integrate long-term support into national recovery plans.
The World Health Organization has been a key partner in the ongoing recovery plans, working alongside the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure survivors are not forgotten once they leave the treatment unit.
“Our support doesn’t end at treatment,” says Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda. “Survivors like Dr Mupakasa remind us why recovery must be holistic, medical, social, and otherwise. Reintegration and dignity are just as critical as medical attention.”
Dr Mupakasa’s story reflects the resilience of those who survive outbreaks, while underscoring an often-overlooked fact: survival is just one piece of the pie. For Ebola survivors, the road to full recovery is not only about healing the body but also about rebuilding their lives, livelihoods, and place in society. The fight does not end with treatment; it must continue with compassion, acceptance, and sustainable support systems that recognize the long-lasting impact of these diseases.
