Uganda’s health authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the last eight patients who were recovering from the recent Ebola outbreak have been discharged, marking the end of the outbreak that was declared in late January. The World Health Organization (WHO) hailed the recoveries as a significant achievement, acknowledging Uganda’s rapid and effective response to the crisis.
The majority of Ebola patients were treated at the main referral facility in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, where health officials focused on providing care while containing the spread of the virus. The outbreak, which was first detected in the country’s Mubende district, involved the Sudan strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccines.
The only fatality from the outbreak was a male nurse who passed away just one day before the outbreak was officially declared on January 30. Tragically, the nurse’s relatives were among those who were later hospitalized with the virus.
In response to the outbreak, Ugandan health authorities identified and monitored over 265 contacts linked to the initial infection, with at least 90 of them completing quarantine and being cleared after showing no symptoms of the virus. Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng provided this update during a press briefing in Kampala, further assuring the public that the outbreak had been contained.
While no specific vaccine exists for the Sudan strain of Ebola, Uganda has launched a clinical study aimed at testing the safety and effectiveness of a trial vaccine, adding an additional layer of precaution in case of future outbreaks.
The recent outbreak marked the latest in a series of Ebola crises in Uganda. The previous outbreak, which started in September 2022, claimed at least 55 lives before it was declared under control. Health officials continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and prompt action in responding to Ebola outbreaks, which are typically transmitted through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials from an infected person.
Ebola symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The WHO has urged all countries in the region to maintain preparedness for future outbreaks, as the virus remains a significant public health threat in Central and East Africa.
As Uganda celebrates the discharge of the last patients, the successful containment of this outbreak is seen as a major milestone, demonstrating the effectiveness of both local and international efforts in combating one of the world’s most deadly diseases.
