KAMPALA, Uganda — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced the successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
The Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus was brought under control following a 42-day period without any new confirmed cases, marking the end of the outbreak. This period, twice the upper limit of the Ebola virus’incubation period, is an internationally recognized benchmark for declaring an outbreak over.
The outbreak, which began on May 15, 2026, resulted in 20 confirmed cases, including 15 imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and five locally acquired.
The swift and decisive action taken by the Ugandan government, supported by national and international partners, was crucial in halting the spread of the virus. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended Uganda for its successful response, noting that the country has shown how outbreaks can be quickly brought under control with the right strategies.
This includes a focus on preparedness, increased surveillance, and careful management of entry points.
The Africa CDC’s Director-General, H. E. Dr.
Jean Kaseya, emphasized the importance of community engagement and public health systems reaching people swiftly, highlighting Uganda’s achievements as a victory for the continent.
The focus now shifts to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, where transmission remains a central concern.
The Ugandan government declared the interruption of local transmission on July 28, 2026, following the completion of the 42-day monitoring period. Outbreak control measures, including disease surveillance, have continued since the last imported patient was discharged on July 16, 2026. WHO continues to advise against travel and trade restrictions related to Ebola outbreaks, recommending instead that countries maintain international travel and trade while implementing proportionate public health measures.
Both Africa CDC and WHO are calling for enhanced outbreak preparedness and readiness, emphasizing the importance of sustained disease surveillance, testing capacity, and operational coordination across borders.
As Uganda celebrates this milestone, the global health community remains vigilant, with the goal of stopping transmission in the DRC and protecting communities across the region from future health threats.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: World Health Organization
