WHO declares Uganda Ebola-free after 42 days without new cases

The World Health Organization announced on Tuesday that Uganda has been declared free of Ebola virus disease after completing a 42‑day period without any new cases of the Sudan‑strain virus that sparked an outbreak earlier this year. The declaration follows a coordinated response that involved rapid case identification, contact tracing of more than 1,200 individuals, and the deployment of vaccination teams to high‑risk zones. Uganda recorded a total of 164 confirmed infections and 77 deaths before the last confirmed case tested negative on 7 May, prompting the WHO to certify the country’s status as Ebola‑free on 30 May.

In contrast, the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to grapple with a surge in Ebola cases, with health officials reporting a steady increase in infections across several provinces since the start of the month. The DRC outbreak, caused by the same Sudan‑strain, has seen over 200 new cases in the past two weeks, overwhelming local treatment centers and prompting the WHO to request additional medical supplies and personnel. While Uganda’s success underscores the effectiveness of swift containment measures, the escalating situation in the DRC highlights the ongoing challenges of controlling Ebola in the region.