Uganda Declares End to Latest Ebola Outbreak Following 42 Days of No New Infections
Kampala, Uganda – The Ugandan Ministry of Health has announced the official end of the country’s latest Ebola outbreak, a significant milestone achieved three months after the initial cases appeared in the capital city. The announcement, made via the ministry’s official X account, celebrated 42 consecutive days free of new infections since the last patient was discharged.
The outbreak, which began on January 30 following the death of a male nurse who tested positive for the Sudan strain of the virus, resulted in 14 reported cases—12 of which were confirmed through laboratory testing. The outbreak also led to four deaths, of which two were confirmed and two were probable. Thankfully, ten individuals successfully recovered from the infection.
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended the Ugandan Health Ministry for its effective management of the outbreak, stating on X, "Congratulations to the government and health workers of Uganda on ending the Ebola outbreak."
Ebola infections are not uncommon in Uganda, which is surrounded by tropical forests that serve as natural reservoirs for the virus. This marks the country’s ninth outbreak since the first recorded case in 2000. Uganda’s geographical proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known for multiple outbreaks—particularly one that claimed nearly 2,300 lives from 2018 to 2020—heightens its vulnerability to the disease.
Despite the challenges, health experts credit Uganda’s extensive experience in managing outbreaks as a key factor in their swift response and control measures. Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, presenting severe symptoms including headaches, muscle pain, and internal bleeding.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
