Daijiworld Media Network - Kampala

Kampala, Mar 20: Uganda has discharged its last two Ebola patients, marking a crucial step toward declaring the official end of the outbreak. Health authorities have now initiated a 42-day countdown, during which no new cases must be reported before the outbreak can be declared over.

The recovered patients—a 55-year-old woman from Matuga in Wakiso District and a 45-year-old woman from Kyegegwa District—were treated at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala and Fort Portal Regional Hospital Ebola Treatment Unit in Kabarole District, respectively.

“The discharge of the last two patients is a significant milestone, but the outbreak is not yet over,” said Charles Olaro, acting director general of health services at the Ministry of Health. “We will continue active surveillance and vaccination efforts to ensure no new cases emerge.”

Uganda initially declared an Ebola outbreak on January 30, following the death of a 32-year-old nurse in Kampala. A second fatality—a four-and-a-half-year-old child from Kibuli—was recorded on February 25. The total number of confirmed cases has reached 12 since the outbreak began.

Despite previous hopes of containment, two new cases were detected in Kampala on March 7, just two weeks after the country had discharged all previously infected patients. However, with no new cases since, Uganda now hopes to officially close the outbreak by early May.

The Ministry of Health has reassured the public that the situation is under control, urging vigilance and immediate reporting of any suspected Ebola symptoms.

Uganda has battled multiple Ebola outbreaks in the past, with the most recent major outbreak (September 2022 - January 2023) leading to 164 cases and 77 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

Health officials remain on high alert as they monitor contacts of confirmed cases and continue vaccination efforts to prevent a resurgence of the deadly virus.