World Health Organization Declares Uganda Ebola-Free

Uganda has officially been declared free of Ebola, the World Health Organization announced Tuesday. The declaration follows a mandatory 42-day monitoring period without any new transmissions, marking a significant milestone for the East African nation.

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We had assessed the risk, we had assessed the whole chain of transmission and the dynamics of importation of the virus in the country, and we knew that we were free from Ebola.

Diana Atwine, permanent secretary for Uganda’s Health Ministry, stated that the country had assessed the transmission chain and importation dynamics, concluding it was free from the virus. She urged countries to lift travel restrictions imposed during the outbreak. Uganda reported 20 Ebola infections in total, with the last patient discharged in July.

This declaration contrasts with the escalating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which shares a long border with Uganda. As of August 25, the DRC had recorded 5,656 confirmed cases and 2,715 deaths, with the northeastern Ituri province remaining the epicenter. The WHO is supporting treatment and laboratory capacity in the DRC, with Uganda planning to open two additional treatment centers across the border.

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However, WHO had to wait because that’s the process. That’s the guideline.

Officials from Uganda and the DRC met recently to review a bilateral agreement on cross-border health security. The WHO representative for Uganda highlighted the potential for expanding the cross-border collaboration model regionally, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in combating the virus.

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Unless they have other reasons, they should definitely lift the restrictions off the country, and Ugandans should be free to travel to any country.