Uganda has officially declared its Ebola outbreak over after completing 42 consecutive days without recording a new confirmed case, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO said Thursday.

According to the agencies, the 42-day period followed the discharge of Uganda’s last Ebola patient, an imported case, on July 16, 2026, marking the end of transmission.

“The countdown represents twice the upper limit of Ebola’s incubation period and is the international benchmark for ending transmission.

“Uganda declared the outbreak on May 15, 2026, after detecting Ebola cases caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The country recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 15 imported cases from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” they said.

According to the agencies, five additional cases were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported infections, with authorities intensifying surveillance to contain further transmission.

“Eighteen people recovered from the disease, while two people died during the outbreak. More than 800 contacts were identified and monitored throughout Uganda’s response to prevent further transmission,” they said.

WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus commended Uganda for showing that Ebola outbreaks can be rapidly controlled through decisive action and strong public health measures.

He highlighted preparedness, surveillance, case detection, and effective management at points of entry as essential measures to prevent outbreaks from spreading beyond affected communities.

“Uganda’s response included rapid case confirmation, contact tracing, isolation, clinical care and strengthened infection prevention and control measures. Community engagement and enhanced surveillance in health facilities and at points of entry also supported the response,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.

The WHO director-general advised countries against imposing travel and trade restrictions, including flight suspensions, border closures or denial of entry to travellers from affected countries.

“Instead, countries are encouraged to maintain proportionate public health measures supporting early detection, preparedness and cross-border cooperation,” he said.

Also, Africa CDC director-general Jean Kaseya said Uganda had shown that Ebola could be stopped through decisive leadership and strong public health systems. He described the achievement as an important lesson for Africa, while urging continued efforts to interrupt transmission in the DRC, where the outbreak remained a regional concern.

The WHO regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said ending the outbreak was an important milestone for Uganda and its partners, particularly those supporting preparedness and response efforts.

Mr Janabi emphasised that sustained investment in preparedness would strengthen Uganda’s ability to respond effectively to future public health threats and emerging infectious diseases.

“Uganda announced the interruption of local transmission on July 28 after completing 42 days without a locally acquired case.

“Surveillance and other outbreak-control measures continued after the last imported patient was discharged to ensure no transmission remained undetected. The achievement comes as the Ebola outbreak continues in the DRC, where close social and economic ties increase regional risks,” Mr Janabi said.

According to him, frequent population movement and cross-border trade could facilitate imported cases into neighbouring countries, making regional preparedness and coordination essential.

The agencies called for sustained surveillance, testing capacity, rapid alert investigation, infection prevention and control, community engagement and cross-border coordination to prevent further outbreaks.

“We will continue supporting Uganda and the DRC under the joint continental preparedness and response plan.

“Ending Ebola transmission in the DRC remains a central priority for protecting communities and consolidating health security across the region,” they said.

(NAN)