Uganda Begins 42-Day Ebola Countdown After Last Patient Leaves Care
Monday, 2026/07/20153 words2 minutes1830 reads
Uganda has started a 42-day countdown to officially declare its Ebola outbreak over. The last confirmed patient tested negative for the virus twice and was discharged from care on July 16, 2026.
The patient left the Mulago National Referral Isolation Centre in Kampala. Uganda's health authorities and the World Health Organization confirmed this is an important milestone. However, they warned that the outbreak has not ended yet.
Health workers will continue active surveillance throughout the 42-day period. If no new Ebola cases are detected during this time, Uganda can officially declare the outbreak over according to international guidelines. The outbreak began on May 15, 2026, and by July 16, Uganda had reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths.
The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola virus. Health authorities said they will continue monitoring the situation in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Ebola transmission remains ongoing.
