Uganda has reached a major milestone after health officials discharged the country’s final Ebola patient. The development moves the nation one step closer to officially ending the outbreak.
_x000D_Under World Health Organization (WHO) rules, Uganda must complete 42 consecutive days without recording a new Ebola case. The period represents two full incubation cycles of the virus. If no new infections appear, the WHO will officially declare the country Ebola-free.
_x000D_ _x000D_Uganda Ebola Outbreak Nears End
_x000D_Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said authorities confirmed 20 Ebola cases during the outbreak.
_x000D_Two patients died, while the remaining 18 recovered.
_x000D_“We recorded a total of 20 cases. Two people died, and the rest recovered,” Baryomunsi said.
_x000D_Health teams also monitored hundreds of people who had contact with infected patients. Officials observed them for 21 days before safely releasing them.
_x000D_The minister added that authorities will strengthen health measures along Uganda’s borders to reduce the risk of new infections.
_x000D_ _x000D_Border Monitoring Continues
_x000D_Uganda shares a long border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a much larger Ebola outbreak continues.
_x000D_Since authorities declared the outbreak in the DRC in mid-May, officials have confirmed more than 2,000 cases and 754 deaths.
_x000D_The WHO believes the actual number could be much higher because many infections remain unreported.
_x000D_Most cases detected in Uganda involved people who crossed the border from the DRC.
_x000D_ _x000D_Uganda Ebola Response Wins Praise
_x000D_International health experts praised the country’s rapid response.
_x000D_Officials highlighted effective contact tracing, quick isolation of patients, and continuous monitoring of people exposed to the virus.
_x000D_Serawit Bruck-Landais, Regional Global Health Counsellor at the French Embassy, said Uganda demonstrated that strong public health measures can successfully contain Ebola outbreaks.
_x000D_“The contact tracing was very efficient, and the follow-up of those under care was excellent,” she said.
_x000D_ _x000D_Hope for Better Treatment
_x000D_Scientists continue searching for better treatments against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
_x000D_The WHO recently launched the first clinical trial of an antiviral drug targeting the strain.
_x000D_Researchers hope the study will improve future treatment options.
_x000D_ If the country completes the next 42 days without another infection, the WHO will officially declare Uganda Ebola-free.