The last patient being treated for Ebola in Uganda has been discharged from hospital, leaving the country with no active confirmed cases of the deadly disease.
A 42-day countdown now begins before Uganda can officially be declared Ebola-free, as long as no new infections emerge.
The first case in this outbreak of the Bundibugyo species of the virus in Uganda was confirmed in May. The patient was a man who had travelled from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, the outbreak’s epicentre, for medical treatment.
In all, Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, mostly among visitors from DR Congo, and two deaths.
There have been more than 2,000 confirmed infections and 796 deaths in DR Congo, according to government data.
Speaking after Uganda’s last Ebola patient left hospital, Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi described it as “a moment of joy”.
“It demonstrates that with early detection, prompt treatment and a strong health system, Ebola can be defeated.”
Nevertheless, the ministry of health has urged people to “remain vigilant”.
“If you develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, seek immediate medical care,” it said in a statement on X.
Uganda has experienced several Ebola outbreaks over the last two decades and now has well established protocols to deal with the virus. These include isolation of suspected cases and contact tracing as well as targeted public health messages.
Meanwhile, the authorities in DR Congo are still battling to get the spread of the virus under control.
It is thought that it could have been in the community undetected for months before the outbreak was officially declared two months ago. Earlier this week, a World Health Organization official said the true number of infections could be four times larger than recorded.
In response to the latest situation, the US has announced that citizens who have been in DR Congo and want to return home must spend 21 days in a third country before being allowed into America.
Previously, they had been able to enter at select airports, where they were went through a screening process.
The new rule could affect recruitment of US medics who want to work in Ebola-affected areas, Franklin Graham, the CEO of an organisation that operates Ebola treatment centres, told the Reuters news agency.
Ebola is caused by a virus which attacks the body’s immune system and organs.
It normally infects animals, typically fruit bats, but outbreaks among humans can sometimes start when people handle infected animals. It is spread through bodily fluids like blood.
Additional reporting by Swaibu Ibrahim in Kampala.
