WHO Declares Uganda’s Ebola Outbreak Over After 42 Days Without New Case

Image by WHO

KAMPALA, Uganda — The World Health Organization has formally recognized the end of Uganda’s Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, following 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case.

WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced the milestone on Wednesday, August 26, saying health authorities had successfully interrupted transmission of the virus. The 42-day period represents two maximum incubation periods for the disease and is the internationally established benchmark used to determine whether an Ebola outbreak has ended.

Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths during the outbreak, according to WHO. Fifteen of the cases were imported from neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, while five were locally acquired. Eighteen patients recovered.

The outbreak was declared in Uganda on May 15 after health authorities confirmed Bundibugyo virus in a Congolese man who had traveled from the DRC and later died in Kampala. A second imported case was confirmed the following day.

Uganda’s response included intensified disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, treatment and heightened monitoring along the country’s borders. WHO said it deployed around 70 technical experts to support the national response, including efforts to strengthen laboratories, logistics and community engagement.

A certificate of recognition issued by the WHO Regional Office for Africa and dated August 26 commends Uganda for successfully interrupting transmission and completing the required 42 consecutive days without another confirmed case.

The recognition credits national leadership, frontline health workers, communities and international partners for bringing the outbreak under control.

Uganda had initially declared its outbreak over on July 28 after 42 days without a new locally transmitted case. However, an imported patient from the DRC had been discharged on July 16, prompting continued monitoring for another 42 days to ensure that no additional transmission chains had been missed. WHO has now confirmed that period was completed without another case.

The declaration comes as neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to battle a far more serious outbreak of the same virus. More than 5,600 cases and 2,700 deaths have been reported there, according to figures cited by WHO this week, making the outbreak one of the deadliest Ebola epidemics on record.

Uganda therefore remains vulnerable to imported infections because of continued transmission across the border. WHO has previously assessed the risk to Uganda as high, citing cross-border movement and epidemiological links between eastern DRC and western Uganda.

Health authorities are expected to maintain surveillance and preparedness despite the declaration ending the outbreak.

The successful containment nevertheless marks a significant public-health achievement for Uganda, particularly as the wider regional Ebola emergency continues.

The WHO certificate, signed by WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, recognizes Uganda’s completion of the outbreak response and the 42-day period without a new confirmed case.