Uganda has officially ended its 2026 Ebola outbreak after completing a 42-day monitoring period without reporting any new cases.
Uganda has achieved a major public health milestone by officially declaring an end to its 2026 Ebola outbreak, bringing relief after weeks of intensive surveillance and strict disease control measures. Following 42 consecutive days without a single new Ebola case, the country has regained its Ebola-free status, demonstrating how rapid detection, patient isolation, and continuous monitoring can successfully contain one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. While the announcement marks a significant victory, health officials continue to urge vigilance as neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) battles a much larger Ebola outbreak (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
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The declaration was announced by Uganda’s Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi after the successful completion of the mandatory monitoring period that began when the country’s last locally transmitted Ebola patient was discharged on June 16, 2026. Throughout this period, nationwide surveillance detected no additional infections, enabling Uganda to officially declare the outbreak over. The Ministry of Health has nevertheless encouraged citizens to remain alert and continue following public health measures.
Uganda Declares End of 2026 Ebola Outbreak Following 42-Day Monitoring
“The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce that Uganda has officially declared the end of the 2026 Ebola Disease outbreak. Uganda is Ebola-free,” Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi announced.
The declaration came after the mandatory 42-day monitoring period ended following the discharge of the last Ebola patient.
Health officials said there have been no new cases reported since June, when the last patient was discharged from quarantine.
How Many Ebola Cases Were Reported in Uganda During the 2026 Outbreak?
The outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic disease, originating from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, infected 20 people. Of these, 18 patients recovered and were discharged, while two people died. Both fatalities were individuals from the DRC.
Why Uganda Is Still Urging People to Stay Alert After Becoming Ebola-Free
Throughout the monitoring period, the Ministry of Health maintained intensive nationwide surveillance and detected no additional Ebola cases.
In a public statement, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi urged Ugandans to remain alert, particularly those living in border communities, and continue observing public health measures by reporting suspected cases promptly.
DR Congo Continues to Battle the World’s Fastest-Spreading Ebola Outbreak
According to the Congolese Ministry of Health, there have been at least 3,262 Ebola infections and 1,437 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is approaching the scale of the country’s largest Ebola outbreak recorded between 2018 and 2020.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the current outbreak is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever recorded and estimates that its true scale could be two to four times larger than officially reported.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, the rarest of the four Ebola virus species known to infect humans. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for this strain.
Ebola virus disease is a severe viral hemorrhagic illness that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or those who have died from the disease. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe weakness, muscle pain, and in advanced cases, internal and external bleeding.
Uganda’s declaration marks the successful end of its domestic Ebola outbreak and reflects the effectiveness of sustained surveillance, rapid public health response, and coordinated disease control efforts. Although neighboring DRC continues to face an ongoing outbreak, Uganda’s experience demonstrates that timely detection and rigorous monitoring can help interrupt transmission and protect communities. Health authorities will continue surveillance to safeguard the country’s Ebola-free status while celebrating an important public health achievement.
Reference:
- Press releases & briefings – (https://mediacentre.go.ug/press-room/uganda-declares-the-end-of-the-2026-ebola-disease-outbreak)
Source-Medindia