Last Ebola Patient Discharged as Uganda Begins 42-Day Countdown to Outbreak’s End

Uganda on Thursday began the World Health Organization’s mandatory 42-day countdown towards being declared Ebola-free after the last confirmed patient infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the virus was discharged from Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi presented an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) discharge certificate to the survivor at Mulago’s isolation unit, describing the discharge as a major milestone in Uganda’s efforts to contain the outbreak.

“This is the EVD discharge certificate,” Baryomunsi said during the ceremony.

“This certifies that, as of July 16, 2026, the survivor does not present a risk of infecting other persons after testing negative for Ebola virus disease. His current state of health does not constitute a danger to the community and can therefore return to his household and professional environment to continue his normal daily activities.”

The discharge triggers the WHO’s 42-day surveillance period, equivalent to two maximum incubation cycles of the virus.

If no new confirmed cases emerge during that period, Uganda will officially be declared free of the Ebola outbreak.

The latest outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, one of the less common species responsible for Ebola virus disease.

Uganda has previously experienced outbreaks caused by both the Sudan and Bundibugyo strains and has developed one of Africa’s most experienced rapid response systems for managing the disease.

Health officials said improvements in patient care had contributed to better survival outcomes during the outbreak.

“If we say we don’t have specific treatment for Ebola, we give these patients a lot of supportive care, and now also have some other experimental medicines or medicines we use on compassionate grounds to help these patients, and we think we are getting better results,” one health official said. “In those few words, I’d like to thank all of you.”

Uganda’s response involved intensive case detection, contact tracing, laboratory testing and infection prevention measures led by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization and other partners.

Although the discharge marks a significant turning point, health authorities cautioned that surveillance and monitoring will remain at their highest level throughout the 42-day countdown to ensure any new infections are detected and contained quickly.

Uganda has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to contain Ebola outbreaks through rapid public health interventions, and officials expressed optimism that the country will achieve Ebola-free status if transmission remains interrupted over the coming six weeks.