By A1NEWS International
KAMPALA, Uganda — Aug. 28, 2026 — Uganda has been officially declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case, marking the end of a regional outbreak response that health officials say successfully contained transmission and protected communities.
The World Health Organization announced the milestone on Thursday, saying Uganda reached 42 days since the last confirmed imported Ebola case was discharged on July 16, 2026, with no documented onward transmission linked to that patient.
In a post on X, the WHO stated that the country’s Ebola-free status “mark[s] an end to the outbreak,” underscoring the effectiveness of prevention measures, rapid response coordination, and public health controls implemented during the period.
Uganda credited for containment efforts
Uganda has been widely praised by regional and international partners for efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola following concerns related to the ongoing outbreak in parts of neighboring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a conflict-affected area that has strained health services and contributed to the continued risk of cross-border transmission.
According to the WHO, Uganda’s success reflects strong containment strategies that limited spread beyond identified exposure points and reduced the likelihood of further chains of transmission.
WHO commends government, health workers, and partners
The WHO said it commended Uganda’s government, health workers, and response partners for “the strong measures taken to contain the outbreak and prevent wider spread.”
The statement highlights the broader approach used to reach the Ebola-free milestone, including heightened surveillance, infection prevention controls, contact monitoring, and coordinated risk communication aimed at maintaining public awareness and compliance with health guidance.
Total burden: 20 cases, two deaths
Uganda recorded a total of 20 Ebola cases, almost all linked to individuals who had traveled from DRC. During the outbreak, two deaths were reported.
Health authorities emphasized that while the cases were import-related, the country treated the threat with urgency—mobilizing teams to ensure rapid identification, safe clinical management, and prevention measures intended to stop further transmission.
With WHO’s declaration of Ebola-free status, Uganda enters a new phase focused on vigilance rather than complacency. Public health officials are expected to maintain preparedness measures—particularly surveillance at points of entry and continued community-level awareness—given the ongoing outbreak risk in eastern DRC.
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