Uganda Announces End of Ebola Outbreak After Final Patient Leaves Hospital

Uganda’s health ministry announced on Tuesday that the nation has cleared the Ebola virus after the final patient was released from care in mid-June. The declaration follows a 42-day period with no evidence of community transmission and the successful completion of mandatory monitoring for all identified contacts. The outbreak, first detected in May, stemmed from Congolese nationals crossing the border from Ituri province, prompting the president to halt large gatherings and restrict travel between the two countries.

Uganda also imposed institutional quarantine for contacts and intensified surveillance, which authorities say prevented further spread. While Uganda celebrates the milestone, Congo’s Ministry of Health reports thousands of cases and a death toll that could soon surpass previous records. The Bundibugyo strain involved has no approved vaccine or treatment, underscoring the importance of rapid response measures.