Daijiworld Media Network - Kampala
Kampala, Jul 17: Uganda has discharged its last remaining Ebola patient after the individual tested negative for the virus, paving the way for the country to begin the mandatory 42-day observation period required before the outbreak can be officially declared over.
The symbolic discharge ceremony was held at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala and was attended by Uganda's Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi.
During the event, the minister presented the recovered patient with an official discharge certificate confirming that the individual had fully recovered and no longer posed any risk of transmitting the Ebola virus.
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Baryomunsi said the patient was medically fit to return home and resume normal life, urging communities to support the person's reintegration without fear or stigma.
He appealed to the public and local authorities to welcome the recovered patient and help ensure a smooth return to family, work and community life.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in Uganda Kasonde Mwinga praised the country's preparedness and rapid response, saying these measures played a crucial role in containing the outbreak.
He noted that Uganda's emergency response teams remained on high alert throughout the crisis, contributing to one of the lowest Ebola fatality rates recorded, with the case fatality rate remaining below 10 per cent.
According to WHO guidelines, an Ebola outbreak can be officially declared over only after 42 consecutive days pass without any new confirmed infections following the recovery, discharge or death of the last confirmed patient capable of transmitting the virus.
Uganda declared the outbreak on May 15 after a traveller arriving from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Since the outbreak began, Uganda has confirmed 20 Ebola cases, including 15 Congolese nationals and five Ugandan citizens. The disease claimed two lives, while the remaining patients recovered during the country's response to the outbreak.