Uganda Declares End to Ebola Outbreak After 42-Day Monitoring Period

The declaration comes as the nation reports no new cases since the monitoring period ended.

RT Russia Today

The 2026 outbreak involved the Bundibugyo strain, the rarest Ebola variant. Ugandan authorities confirmed 20 cases: 15 imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and five locally acquired. Of these, 18 patients recovered and two died; both fatalities were DRC nationals. The Congolese Ministry of Health reported at least 3,262 infections and 1,437 deaths in the DRC, with the majority in Ituri Province. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted no new infections after 21 June and confirmed 18 recoveries, including four health-worker cases.

RT Russia TodayAl Jazeera (website)

Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi emphasized intensive nationwide surveillance during the monitoring period and urged continued public-health vigilance. The WHO acknowledged Uganda’s declaration but clarified that, per its protocol, the 42-day countdown should have begun on 16 July after the last confirmed patient tested negative twice and was discharged. The agency reiterated that an outbreak can be declared over only if no new cases emerge during the full monitoring window.

RT Russia Today

A discrepancy exists regarding the start of the 42-day countdown. Ugandan officials cite the period beginning on 16 June, while the WHO states the countdown should have started on 16 July. The sources do not explain the basis for the differing timelines, leaving the exact compliance with WHO guidelines unclear.

RT Russia Today

• “Throughout this period the Ministry of Health maintained intensive surveillance nationwide, and no new Ebola cases have been detected,” — Chris Baryomunsi, country’s health minister

Al Jazeera (website)