Full Breakdown
Africa CDC Director-General Urges U.S. to End Ebola Travel Ban on Uganda
7/21/2026, 11:38:48 PM
Core Event: Request to Lift U.S. Restrictions
On July 21, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya said he had written to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking the United States to remove Ebola-related travel restrictions on Uganda.
Background & Context
Uganda has not recorded a new Ebola infection for roughly a month. The country’s last Ebola patient was discharged on July 16, which, under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, initiates a 42-day period after which Uganda could be declared free of the virus. The outbreak’s epicentre remains the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has reported over 2,400 cases, whereas Uganda has reported 20 cases to date, according to Kaseya.
The United States imposed travel bans in May for anyone who had been in the DRC and later expanded them to include some travelers from Uganda and South Sudan, tightening the measures last week.
Data & Statistics
- 20 Ebola cases reported in Uganda.
- >2,400 cases reported in the DRC.
- July 16 discharge of Uganda’s last patient triggers a 42-day countdown per WHO protocol.
Official Statements & Responses
Kaseya’s letter to Secretary Kennedy emphasizes that lifting the restriction would demonstrate continental solidarity and allow continued support for the DRC’s ongoing response. He stated that “it’s time today to lift the status (travel restrictions), and then we’ll continue to support DRC on the challenge they are facing.” No public response from the U.S. Health Secretary has been recorded at the time of reporting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's time today to lift the status (travel restrictions), and then we'll continue to support DRC on the challenge they are facing,” — General Jean Kaseya — General Jean Kaseya, Director-General, Africa CDC.
