Uganda declares itself free of Ebola after last patient was discharged in mid-June

July 28, 2026 - 23:04

Ugandan health officials have officially declared the country free of Ebola, following the discharge of the last confirmed patient in mid-June. The announcement marks the end of a public health emergency that had sparked concern across the region. This latest outbreak, which began in late 2022, was caused by the Sudan strain of the virus, for which there is no licensed vaccine. Despite that challenge, authorities managed to contain the spread within weeks.

Uganda has developed a reputation for rapid response to viral hemorrhagic fevers. Health workers quickly identified cases, traced contacts, and isolated patients in designated treatment centers. The World Health Organization and local partners supported the effort, but Ugandan medical teams led the ground operations. The last patient was discharged after testing negative twice, a standard protocol to confirm recovery.

Officials caution that the risk of re-emergence remains low but real, as the virus can persist in some body fluids after recovery. Surveillance teams will continue monitoring for any new cases over the next 90 days. The country has now successfully contained seven Ebola outbreaks in the past two decades, each time relying on community engagement and strict infection control measures rather than experimental treatments.