The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended the Ugandan government and health authorities following the successful completion of a crucial 42-day monitoring period with zero recorded cases of the Ebola virus.
The completion of the 42-day window—which is double the 21-day incubation period of the virus—officially marks the end of the public health response phase and provides essential confirmation that chains of transmission have been effectively halted.
Extending warm congratulations to the East African nation and all key actors involved in the outbreak response, the global health chief highlighted the importance of proactive health systems in managing public health crises.
“I congratulate Uganda’s government, and all involved in the response, for passing the 42-day monitoring period with no cases of Ebola,” the WHO boss, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated.
The health agency highlighted that robust national measures—including heightened surveillance, prompt case identification, and rigorous monitoring across health facilities, local communities, and strategic border entry points—proved decisive in stopping the spread of the virus while maintaining essential trade and economic activity.
“With a focus on preparedness, increased surveillance to find potential cases in health facilities and communities, and careful management of points of entry, countries can keep people and goods moving while ensuring people stay safe, or receive care if they are sick,” the health chief added.
First declared on May 15, an Ebola outbreak originating in Congo infected 20 people in Uganda, killing two. Health officials confirmed 15 cases crossed over from Congo, while five were infected locally.
Uganda has recorded no new cases for at least 42 days, with its last patient discharged on July 16. While local authorities declared the nation Ebola-free in July, the WHO officially confirmed the status on Wednesday per global health standards.
“The completion of the 42-day period, equivalent to twice the upper limit of the incubation period for Ebola, is a critical step, as it provides an additional safeguard that no chains of transmission associated with the last imported case have been missed,” the WHO said in a statement.
At a WHO regional meeting in Addis Ababa, Marie Roseline Belizaire, WHO Africa’s emergency response leader, led a round of applause to mark the achievement.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana