Uganda, WHO announce end of Ebola epidemic that has caused 55 deaths in four months
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Ebola epidemic in Uganda is over, the Ugandan health ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday, noting that the disease has claimed 55 lives in the east African country, the UN said on its website.
The announcement ends nearly four months of struggle to contain a rare Sudanese strain of the highly contagious virus for which there is no proven vaccine or antiviral treatment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ugandan Ministry of Health, 42 days have passed since the last diagnosed Ebola patient left hospital, taking the country past twice the maximum incubation period for the virus, according to the UN.
"Uganda has quickly ended the Ebola outbreak by strengthening key control measures such as surveillance, contact tracing and infection prevention and control," said Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Acero, Uganda's health minister.
"The magic solution of communities lies in understanding the importance of doing what it takes to end the outbreak," he noted.
The virus was first detected in Mubende district in September and has spread to at least nine districts, including Kampala, Uganda's capital.
According to the WHO, an outbreak is said to have been halted when there are no new cases for 42 consecutive days, equivalent to twice the incubation period of Ebola.
The last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged from hospital on 30 November, the health authorities announced.
In total, WHO has identified 164 cases (142 confirmed and 22 probable), 55 confirmed deaths and 87 recovered patients.
More than 4,000 people who had been in contact with confirmed cases were monitored for 21 days. Overall, the case fatality rate was 47%.
WHO helped protect frontline health workers by arranging for a regular supply of personal protective equipment. WHO provided nearly $6.5 million to the health response and an additional $3 million to support preparedness in six countries neighbouring Uganda.
-0- PANA TNDD/IS/SOC/BBA/RA 12Jan2023
