Uganda has released its final Ebola patient, initiating a 42-day period to potentially be declared free from the virus, as announced by the country’s Health Ministry. Since mid-May, Uganda has confirmed a total of 20 cases of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Among these cases, 15 individuals were infected in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and subsequently traveled to Uganda.
In contrast to the ongoing surge in cases in Congo, Uganda has not reported any new cases since June 22. Congo reported an additional 62 cases on Thursday, bringing its total confirmed infections to 2,073. The World Health Organization has cautioned that the actual number of cases could be significantly higher.
The last Ebola patient in Uganda, a Congolese national who has recovered successfully, has been discharged and is set to reunite with family members, as confirmed by Uganda’s Health Ministry. The patient was released from an isolation unit at the Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, according to government spokesperson Alan Kasujja.
As Uganda initiates the 42-day countdown period without any new cases, following WHO guidelines, the country may soon be declared Ebola-free.