Uganda Clears Ebola From Hospitals as DR Congo Battles Rising Outbreak Fears

(Uganda introduced tightened Screening. Photo by BBC News)

Uganda’s last remaining Ebola patient has been discharged from hospital, leaving the country with no active confirmed cases of the disease. A 42-day countdown has now begun before Uganda can be officially declared Ebola-free, provided no new infections emerge.

The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, began in Uganda in May, with the first confirmed case involving a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of the wider outbreak, for medical treatment.

In total, Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, mostly involving visitors from DR Congo, along with two deaths. DR Congo itself has recorded over 2,000 confirmed infections and 796 deaths, according to government figures.

Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi described the discharge of Uganda’s last patient as a moment of joy, saying it demonstrates that Ebola can be defeated through early detection, prompt treatment and a strong health system.

Even so, the health ministry has urged continued vigilance, advising anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek immediate medical attention.

Having weathered several Ebola outbreaks over the past two decades, Uganda now has well-established response protocols, including isolation of suspected cases, contact tracing and targeted public health messaging.

Meanwhile, authorities in DR Congo continue to struggle to contain the spread of the virus, which is believed to have circulated undetected within communities for months before the outbreak was officially declared two months ago.

A World Health Organization official said earlier this week that the true number of infections could be as much as four times higher than currently recorded.

In response to the evolving situation, the United States has announced that citizens who have been in DR Congo and wish to return home must now spend 21 days in a third country before entry, a shift from the previous system that allowed entry through select airports following a screening process.

Franklin Graham, CEO of an organisation running Ebola treatment centres, told Reuters that the new rule could hinder efforts to recruit American medics willing to work in Ebola-affected areas.

Ebola is caused by a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and organs.

It typically infects animals, especially fruit bats, with human outbreaks sometimes triggered by contact with infected animals, and spreads through bodily fluids such as blood.