Uganda has officially been declared free of its latest Ebola outbreak after completing 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) say the milestone follows the discharge of the country’s last Ebola patient on July 16.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 15 imported infections from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and five locally acquired cases.
Eighteen patients recovered, while two died, with more than 800 contacts monitored during the response.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, praised Uganda’s rapid response, including case detection, contact tracing, isolation, treatment and enhanced surveillance.
He also urged countries to avoid unnecessary travel and trade restrictions, stressing the importance of early detection and cross-border cooperation.
Africa CDC Director-General, Jean Kaseya, described Uganda’s achievement as an important lesson for the continent.
However, health authorities say continued vigilance is necessary as Ebola remains a concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where cross-border movement could pose a risk of imported cases.
The agencies are urging sustained surveillance, testing, community engagement and regional coordination to prevent further outbreaks.
