Uganda has discharged the last Ebola patient receiving treatment, marking a significant milestone in its response to the latest outbreak…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Uganda has discharged the last patient receiving treatment for Ebola, marking a major milestone in the country’s response to the latest outbreak, although health authorities have warned that the outbreak cannot yet be declared over.
The patient, a Congolese national who sought treatment in Uganda after developing Ebola symptoms while in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), made a full recovery and was discharged from the Mulago National Referral Isolation Centre by Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi.
With no patients currently under treatment, Uganda has entered the internationally recommended 42-day surveillance period required before an Ebola outbreak can be officially declared over. The countdown begins after the last confirmed patient tests negative and is discharged.
Speaking at the discharge ceremony, Baryomunsi described the occasion as “a moment of hope, gratitude and national pride”.
“It has been two months since this outbreak was declared, and today we are celebrating the discharge of the last patient. This is indeed a moment of joy. It demonstrates that with early detection, prompt treatment and a strong health system, Ebola can be defeated,” he said.
The minister said Uganda recorded a case fatality rate of 10 per cent during the outbreak, one of the lowest reported for Ebola outbreaks caused by the Bundibugyo strain.
“If you develop symptoms and report to a health facility early, your chances of recovery are significantly improved. Early reporting saves lives,” he said.
Baryomunsi praised frontline health workers, surveillance teams, laboratory personnel and development partners for their role in containing the outbreak.
“This achievement belongs to our health workers, technical teams, partners and the people of Uganda who worked together to stop the spread of the disease. It shows us that Ebola can be defeated when we remain vigilant, adhere to public health measures and invest in strong health systems,” he said.
He cautioned that the discharge of the final patient does not mark the end of the outbreak.
“The discharge of the last patient does not mean the outbreak is over. Ebola has an incubation period of up to 21 days. If no new case is detected during that period, we shall begin another 21-day countdown, making a total of 42 days, before Uganda can officially declare the outbreak over in line with international guidelines,” he said.
The minister also said Uganda continues to monitor the Ebola situation in the neighbouring DRC, where transmission remains ongoing. Surveillance measures remain in place nationwide, particularly at border crossings and in districts bordering the DRC.
He added that the government had begun discussions with countries that imposed travel restrictions during the outbreak, with the aim of restoring normal travel and trade.
Dr David Kaggwa, head of the medical team at the Mulago Ebola Treatment Unit, said the successful discharge reflected Uganda’s growing ability to respond to highly infectious diseases. He noted that the government’s specialised 80-bed isolation facility had been strengthened through successive outbreaks.
“This is the third time this unit has been used during an epidemic. We have continuously improved our systems and our capacity, and that is reflected in the better outcomes we are seeing today,” he said.
Kaggwa said that although there is no specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, patients received comprehensive supportive care alongside medicines administered under compassionate-use protocols, contributing to improved recovery.
World Health Organization Country Representative Dr Kasonde Mwinga said Uganda’s success was the result of years of investment in preparedness.
“This treatment unit existed before the outbreak, and emergency response teams had already been trained and equipped. The progress we are witnessing today is the result of years of preparedness. The more we prepare, the more lives we save,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases during the outbreak. Fifteen of the infections were imported from the DRC, while the remaining five occurred among identified contacts who had already been placed in institutional quarantine, helping prevent wider community transmission.
Two patients, both Congolese nationals who sought medical care after developing advanced symptoms, died during the outbreak.
Health authorities said Uganda’s response was built on early detection, rapid laboratory testing, effective contact tracing, case management, community engagement and strengthened cross-border surveillance.
The Ministry of Health thanked health workers, communities, development partners, the media and other stakeholders for supporting the country’s response, saying Uganda had once again demonstrated that preparedness and swift action can successfully contain Ebola outbreaks.
