Uganda has officially declared the end of its Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus after recording no new confirmed cases for 42 consecutive days.
The declaration marks a major milestone in the country’s response to the deadly viral disease and follows the discharge of Uganda’s last Ebola patient, an imported case, on July 16, 2026.
The 42-day period represents twice the upper limit of Ebola’s incubation period and was completed without evidence of further transmission linked to the case.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) welcomed the development, commending Uganda’s early detection, decisive leadership and public health response.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Uganda had demonstrated that Ebola outbreaks could be contained rapidly when countries prioritise preparedness, surveillance and effective response.
“Uganda has demonstrated that with decisive action, Ebola outbreaks can be brought under control quickly,” Tedros said.
He noted that strengthened surveillance in health facilities and communities, alongside effective monitoring at points of entry, could help countries detect cases early while allowing people and goods to move safely.
Uganda declared the outbreak on May 15, 2026, after confirming Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The country recorded 20 confirmed cases, comprising 15 imported cases from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and five locally acquired infections among contacts and health workers linked to the imported cases.
Of the 20 confirmed cases, 18 people recovered while two died. More than 800 contacts were identified and monitored during the response.
Uganda announced the interruption of local transmission on July 28 after completing 42 days without recording a new locally acquired case. Surveillance and other control measures continued after the last imported case was discharged on July 16 to ensure that any potential missed chains of transmission were detected.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, described the development as a victory for Uganda and an important lesson for the continent.
“Uganda has shown that Ebola can be stopped when leadership acts decisively, communities are trusted and public health systems reach people quickly,” Kaseya said.
He, however, warned against complacency, particularly as Ebola transmission continues in the DRC.
“We must now protect this achievement while accelerating the response in the DRC. We will only be secure when transmission is stopped everywhere,” he added.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, said the end of the outbreak should translate into stronger preparedness for future health emergencies.
“Ending an Ebola outbreak is an important milestone, but the lasting achievement is a stronger ability to protect people from future health threats,” Janabi said.
Uganda’s response included early detection and confirmation of cases, contact tracing, isolation and treatment, infection prevention and control, community engagement and intensified surveillance at health facilities and points of entry.
Despite the declaration, health authorities said the risk of imported cases remains because of Uganda’s close social and economic ties with the DRC, frequent cross-border movement and trade.
The WHO has advised against blanket travel and trade restrictions in response to Ebola outbreaks, saying countries should maintain international travel and commerce while implementing proportionate public health measures.
These measures include enhanced surveillance, rapid investigation of suspected cases, testing and stronger coordination across borders.
Africa CDC and WHO have called for continued investment in outbreak preparedness across the region, including disease surveillance, testing capacity, rapid alert investigation, infection prevention and control, community engagement and cross-border coordination.
Both organisations said they would continue supporting Uganda and the DRC through a joint continental preparedness and response plan, with ending Ebola transmission in the DRC remaining a priority for protecting communities across the region.
