Africa CDC Urges US To Lift Uganda’s Ebola Travel Ban

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has urged the United States Government to lift the temporary Ebola-related entry suspension imposed on Uganda, saying the country’s outbreak has been brought under control.

Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, said Uganda had recorded no new confirmed Ebola case since June 21, 2026, discharged its last patient and entered the mandatory 42-day countdown required before an outbreak can be declared over.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kaseya said all 836 identified contacts had completed follow-up, while surveillance remained active across 36 high-risk districts and 38 points of entry.

He added that laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication and community surveillance remained fully operational.

Kaseya attributed the progress to Uganda’s leadership, the commitment of health workers and communities, and collaboration with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Africa CDC and development partners.

While acknowledging continued Ebola transmission in parts of the DRC, he said Uganda’s ability to rapidly detect, report and respond to outbreaks warranted a country-specific assessment rather than broad travel restrictions.

The statement, shared on Africa CDC’s X handle on Wednesday, reads, “Today, I formally called on the United States Government to urgently review and remove Uganda from the temporary Ebola-related entry suspension.

“Uganda’s epidemiological situation has improved significantly. The country has reported no new confirmed Ebola case since 21 June 2026, discharged its last patient and entered the 42-day countdown toward declaring the outbreak over.

“All 836 identified contacts have completed follow-up. Surveillance remains active across 36 high-risk districts and 38 points of entry. Laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication and community surveillance remain fully operational.

“These results reflect decisive national leadership, the courage and commitment of Uganda’s health workers and communities, and strong cooperation between Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa CDC and our partners.”

Kaseya stressed that public health measures should be guided by scientific evidence and called for proportionate safeguards, including risk-based departure and arrival screening, traveller health declarations, exposure-based monitoring and rapid referral of symptomatic travellers.

He said countries that report outbreaks early and respond transparently should be supported rather than penalised because evidence-based decisions strengthen trust, international cooperation and timely reporting during future health emergencies.

“Countries that detect outbreaks early, report transparently and act decisively deserve recognition and support. Evidence-based decisions strengthen trust, international cooperation and rapid reporting during future health emergencies,” he said.

Kaseya added that Africa CDC was ready to share its latest surveillance data with the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, facilitate technical consultations and provide any additional verification required.

He maintained that Uganda’s progress deserved international recognition while stressing that continued vigilance and science-driven public health decisions remained essential.