Uganda Declared Ebola-Free as WHO Advises Against Travel Restrictions
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have officially declared the end of Uganda's Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus species, following 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case. The countdown began after the country's last patient - an imported case from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - was discharged on 16 July 2026. Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases in total after the outbreak was declared on 15 May, with 15 imported from the DRC and five locally acquired among contacts and health workers. Eighteen patients recovered and two died, with more than 800 contacts identified and monitored throughout the response.
Critically for the travel and tourism industry, WHO has reiterated its advice against imposing travel or trade restrictions related to Ebola outbreaks, explicitly recommending against flight suspensions, border closures or entry denials for travellers from affected countries. The declaration comes as the DRC continues to battle an ongoing outbreak, and WHO has noted that close cross-border ties mean neighbouring countries remain at risk of imported cases. Both WHO and Africa CDC have called for sustained surveillance, strengthened infection prevention and continued cross-border coordination, while affirming that international travel and trade should be maintained alongside proportionate public health measures.
