WHO declares Uganda Ebola free after successful containment
Uganda ends Ebola outbreak following completion of 42-day countdown The post WHO declares Uganda Ebola free after successful containment appeared first on KBC Digital .
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have announced that Uganda is Ebola free after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case. This was achieved following the discharge of the last imported patient on July 16, 2026. No further transmission was documented, marking the end of the outbreak.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus praised Uganda's government and all involved in the response for successfully passing the 42-day monitoring period with no Ebola cases, highlighting the importance of decisive action and strong preparedness in containing such outbreaks. He emphasized that countries can balance maintaining trade and movement of people with ensuring public safety by implementing effective monitoring and control measures.
The Africa CDC's Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, noted that Uganda's swift and comprehensive response, including rapid case detection, contact tracing, isolation, clinical care, infection prevention, and control, as well as community engagement, played a crucial role in halting the outbreak. He emphasized that Uganda's achievement serves as a model for the rest of the continent.
Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases of Ebola, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, with 15 cases imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and five locally acquired among contacts and healthcare workers. Eighteen individuals recovered, and two died during the outbreak. Over 800 contacts were identified and monitored. The 42-day monitoring period, which is the internationally recognized benchmark for determining the end of an Ebola outbreak, provided an additional safety net to ensure no transmission had been missed.
WHO and Africa CDC continue to support the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, promoting enhanced outbreak preparedness, sustained disease surveillance, testing capacity, and cross-border collaboration to prevent future outbreaks and protect communities across the region.
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