By Zainab Bakare
Uganda has discharged its last Ebola patient from hospital, leaving the country with no active confirmed cases and marking a major milestone in its fight against the deadly virus.
Health authorities have now begun the mandatory 42-day countdown required before the country can officially be declared Ebola-free, provided no new infections are recorded during the period.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was first confirmed in May after a man travelled from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Uganda for medical treatment.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths during the outbreak, with most infections linked to visitors from the DRC.
Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi described the discharge of the final patient as “a moment of joy,” saying it demonstrated that early detection, prompt treatment and a strong healthcare system can successfully contain Ebola outbreaks.
Despite the progress, the Ministry of Health urged the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding.
While Uganda has brought the outbreak under control, the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to battle a much larger epidemic, with more than 2,000 confirmed cases and 796 deaths.
The World Health Organization has warned that the actual number of infections could be significantly higher than official figures.
