WHO Declares Uganda Ebola-Free After 42 Days Without New Cases

Uganda has officially ended its Ebola outbreak after completing 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have confirmed.

The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.

Dafy world understands the declaration follows the discharge of Uganda’s last confirmed Ebola patient, an imported case, on July 16, 2026. WHO said there had been no documented onward transmission associated with the case during the subsequent 42-day monitoring period.

In a statement shared by WHO Uganda, the organisation said:

“Uganda has reached 42 days since the last confirmed imported Ebola case was discharged on 16 July 2026, with no documented onward transmission associated with the case, marking an end to the outbreak.”

WHO commended the Ugandan government, health workers, communities and response partners for their efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent wider spread.

Uganda declared the outbreak on May 15, 2026, after detecting Ebola cases linked to cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The country recorded 20 confirmed cases during the outbreak. WHO said 15 cases were imported from the DRC, while five were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to the imported cases. The outbreak resulted in two deaths, while 18 patients recovered.

Uganda had earlier announced the interruption of local transmission on July 28, but continued surveillance because of the risk posed by imported infections from neighbouring areas of the DRC.

The 42-day countdown is an important benchmark in Ebola outbreak response. It represents twice the maximum incubation period used for monitoring possible transmission.

Reaching the milestone without another confirmed case provides additional assurance that no ongoing transmission chain has been missed.

However, WHO has stressed that Uganda must remain vigilant because Ebola transmission continues in neighbouring parts of the DRC.

While Uganda has brought its outbreak under control, the Ebola situation in the DRC remains serious.

WHO reported on August 24 that the DRC had recorded more than 5,200 confirmed cases, describing the outbreak as the country's fastest-growing Ebola outbreak.

The continued transmission across the border means Uganda remains at risk of imported cases. WHO said surveillance, preparedness and rapid response measures will therefore continue as Uganda moves from an intensive emergency response to risk-based preparedness.

The end of the outbreak marks an important public health achievement for Uganda, but health authorities continue to urge communities and border officials to remain alert to possible new infections.

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa, WHO Uganda and Africa CDC, Dafy World Media (DWM).