WHO declares end of Uganda's Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared an end to Uganda's latest Ebola outbreak after the country went 42 consecutive days without recording a new confirmed case.

WHO expert Marie Roseline Belizaire made the announcement during an online briefing by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, marking 42 days since the last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged.

Uganda's Health Ministry had earlier declared the outbreak over on July 28, saying epidemiological investigations and the characterization of the outbreak provided sufficient evidence that transmission had been interrupted.

"The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce that Uganda has officially declared the end of the 2026 Ebola disease outbreak.

Today, Uganda is Ebola-free," Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said in a statement.

Uganda declared the outbreak on May 15 after confirming an imported case of Ebola from neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The country recorded 20 confirmed cases during the outbreak, with 18 patients recovering and two deaths reported.

The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare strain for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Health authorities and international partners are expected to maintain surveillance to detect and respond quickly to any potential new cases.