KAMPALA, Feb. 19 – Health workers in Uganda are expressing optimism that the country may be approaching the end of its current Ebola outbreak following the successful discharge of all patients who had been receiving treatment.
The discharge ceremony, held in Kampala, was attended by government health officials and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO). The health minister announced that eight patients seven from Kampala and one from the eastern district of Mbale had completed their treatment after undergoing 21 days of medical care.
Since the latest outbreak was declared on January 30, a total of nine cases were confirmed in the country, including one fatality. Officials reassured the public that those who have recovered are now completely free of the disease and should be welcomed back into their communities without fear.
“The patients we are discharging today are safe and free of the disease,” the health minister stated. “I urge their families and communities to receive and interact with them normally.”
Despite this positive development, authorities are maintaining vigilance. A total of 265 individuals who were in contact with confirmed Ebola cases remain under strict quarantine in Kampala and the eastern districts of Jinja and Mbale. Health teams continue to monitor these individuals closely to detect any potential new cases.
WHO representatives acknowledged the discharge of patients as a major milestone in the country’s fight against the disease but stressed that continued efforts are necessary to ensure the outbreak is completely contained.
“We must continue to work with the national authorities to ensure that our response remains active. The next 42 days are critical in ensuring no new case arises,” said a WHO official. “If no new infection occurs during this period, the outbreak will be declared over.”
Health officials also emphasized the importance of preventing stigma against Ebola survivors. They reassured the public that those who have recovered are no longer contagious and do not pose any health risk to others.
In response to the outbreak, Uganda, with support from WHO and other international partners, swiftly reactivated its emergency response plan. High-risk groups, including health workers and individuals who had been in contact with Ebola patients, received a trial vaccine. This marked the first-ever Ebola vaccine trial for the Sudan strain of the virus.
Alongside vaccination efforts, the health ministry implemented various control measures such as early detection of cases, clinical care, infection prevention, and community engagement to curb the spread of the disease.
Uganda has faced Ebola outbreaks in the past, with the most recent major outbreak occurring between September 2022 and January 2023. That outbreak resulted in 164 confirmed cases and 77 deaths before it was officially declared over.
With all current patients now discharged and strict monitoring in place, health officials remain hopeful that Uganda will soon be declared Ebola-free once again. However, they continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures to ensure the outbreak does not resurface.
