WHO declares Uganda Ebola free after successful containment

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared Uganda Ebola free following 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case.

This milestone follows the discharge of last patient from care, an imported case, on July, 16 2026. no documented onward transmission associated with the case, marking an end to the outbreak.

In a statement on X, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus congratulated the Uganda government for passing the 42 day monitoring period with no cases of Ebola describing the achievement as a demonstration of how decisive action and strong preparedness can help contain deadly disease outbreaks.

“I congratulate Uganda’s government, and all involved in the response, for passing the 42 day monitoring period with no cases of Ebola. With a focus on preparedness, increased surveillance to find potential cases in health facilities and communities, and careful management of points of entry, countries can keep people and goods moving while ensuring people stay safe, or receive care if they are sick,” said Dr Tedros.

According to WHO, the completion of the 42-day period, equivalent to twice the upper limit of the incubation period for Ebola, is a critical step, as it provides an additional safeguard that no chains of transmission associated with the last imported case have been missed.

The 42-day countdown is the internationally established benchmark for determining that transmission linked to an Ebola outbreak has ended.

“Uganda has demonstrated that with decisive action, Ebola outbreaks can be brought under control quickly,” said Dr Tedros “With a focus on preparedness, increased surveillance to find potential cases in health facilities and communities, and careful management of points of entry, countries can keep people and goods moving while ensuring people stay safe, or receive care if they are sick.”

In his remarks, Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, noted that Uganda with support of national and international partners, interrupted local transmission rapidly and prevented wider spread through strong government leadership and early comprehensive actions including case detection and confirmation, contact tracing, isolation and clinical care, infection prevention and control, community engagement and strengthened surveillance at health facilities and points of entry.

“Uganda has shown that Ebola can be stopped when leadership acts decisively, communities are trusted and public health systems reach people quickly,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC.

Adding that: “This is a victory for Uganda and an important lesson for our continent. We must now protect this achievement while accelerating the response in the DRC. We will only be secure when transmission is stopped everywhere.”

Uganda announced the interruption of local transmission on 28 July after completing 42 days without a new locally acquired case. Outbreak control measures, including disease surveillance continued after the last imported patient was discharged on 16 July. The completion of this additional monitoring period confirms that no further transmission has been detected in the country.

“Ending an Ebola outbreak is an important milestone, but the lasting achievement is a stronger ability to protect people from future health threats. Uganda has shown what sustained investment in preparedness can deliver. WHO will continue working with the government and partners to help preserve these gains and keep communities safe,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

During the outbreak, Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus following the declaration of the outbreak on 15 May 2026.

Fifteen cases were imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while five were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported cases. Eighteen people recovered and two died. More than 800 contacts were identified and monitored.

The milestone comes as the Ebola outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Close social and economic ties, frequent population movement and cross-border trade mean that neighbouring countries remain at risk of imported cases.

WHO continues to advise against travel and trade restrictions related to Ebola outbreaks. WHO does not recommend suspending flights, closing borders, or denying entry to travellers from affected countries. Countries are encouraged to maintain international travel and trade while implementing proportionate public health measures that support early detection, preparedness and cross-border collaboration.

Africa CDC and WHO call for enhanced outbreak preparedness and readiness with continued disease surveillance and testing capacity, rapid alert investigation, strong infection prevention and control in health facilities and communities, sustained community engagement and close operational coordination across borders.

Both organizations will continue supporting the Governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the joint continental preparedness and response plan. Ending transmission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains a central priority for protecting communities across the region.

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