Uganda officially Ebola-free, 42 days after last patient discharged
Uganda has officially been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, 42 days after its last patient was discharged, following an outbreak that saw 20 confirmed cases linked to neighboring DR Congo. Ugandan authorities implemented swift measures, including cancelling large events and suspending travel, to prevent further transmission.
Why it matters
This declaration signifies a successful public health response to a deadly infectious disease, offering a model for containing outbreaks and preventing wider regional spread. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the DR Congo in managing the same virus.
Ten weeks after identifying two cases of Ebola, Uganda is officially free of the virus.
A total of 20 cases were confirmed in the country since May 15, when neighboring DR Congo announced an outbreak of the disease.
It’s now been 42 days since the last patient was discharged - the period recommended by the World Health Organization to declare the country Ebola-free.
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