Uganda discharges last Ebola patient as outbreak continues in DR Congo
Uganda has discharged its last patient being treated for Ebola Bundibugyo virus, leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo as the only country with active cases as the outbreak continues to spread.
The Ugandan outbreak recorded 20 cases and two deaths, with health authorities saying no transmission chains were established in the country. The cases included 15 Congolese nationals, four healthcare workers and one driver.
Officials cited in media reports attributed the low death rate in Uganda to early preparedness and response measures. The country must now complete a 42-day period without new infections before the outbreak can officially be declared over.
Uganda is urging countries that have imposed travel restrictions to lift the measures, saying they are affecting the country’s economy.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi said the government is engaging with affected countries to reopen travel links as progress is made in controlling the disease.
“As we make progress in managing this disease, we are engaging and asking those countries with a view to opening up so that the economy does not get injured,” Dr Baryomunsi said.
Meanwhile, the Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a concern, with the country reporting more than 2,000 confirmed infections and hundreds of deaths.
Authorities in the DRC have introduced a new response roadmap aimed at improving early detection, contact tracing, access to treatment and protection of health workers.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has welcomed the plan, saying the response must move faster to contain the outbreak.
Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya said the focus is now on ensuring response efforts reach affected communities quickly enough to save lives and stop further transmission.
The latest Ebola outbreak has also created tensions around health facilities in eastern DRC, where a hospital in Ituri Province was recently attacked after a woman died shortly after giving birth. Several patients reportedly fled the facility during the incident.
