Health
World Health Organization declares end to Ebola outbreak in Uganda
Uganda completed a mandatory 42-day period with no new reported cases, even as an outbreak continues in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The short version
- The World Health Organization confirmed Uganda is free of Ebola after 42 days elapsed without any new transmissions.
- Uganda recorded 20 total infections and two deaths during the outbreak, discharging its final patient on July 16.
- Ugandan officials are calling for the lifting of international travel restrictions imposed during the outbreak.
- Uganda is assisting the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an ongoing Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,600 confirmed cases.
Key facts
- The WHO officially declared Uganda Ebola-free following a mandatory 42-day monitoring period with zero new transmissions.[Al Jazeera]
- Uganda recorded 20 total Ebola cases and two deaths, with its last confirmed case reported on June 21 and the final patient discharged on July 16.[Al Jazeera]
- Uganda's Ministry of Health had previously declared its local outbreak over on July 28 prior to the formal WHO declaration.[Al Jazeera]
- As of August 25, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 5,656 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,715 deaths, primarily centered in Ituri province.[Al Jazeera]
- Uganda is supporting healthcare capacity in the DRC by funding treatment and laboratory facilities near the border.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain when foreign governments will lift travel restrictions previously placed on travelers from Uganda.[Al Jazeera]