Uganda Discharges Final Ebola Patients: A Monitoring and Recovery Milestone

Uganda has successfully discharged its last Ebola patients, with no new cases reported following a recent outbreak. Health authorities commend the effective response of the nation, while there is an ongoing clinical study for a trial vaccine to combat future incidents.

On February 18, 2025, Uganda successfully discharged its last eight Ebola patients from the Mulago Referral Hospital in Kampala, marking a significant achievement in the battle against the recent outbreak. Health authorities confirmed that there were no new cases associated with the outbreak declared on January 30. The World Health Organization praised these recoveries as indicative of Uganda’s effective and swift response to the situation.

The Ebola outbreak initially claimed the life of a male nurse prior to the official declaration, with his relatives subsequently hospitalized due to virus exposure. The importance of contact tracing was highlighted by Ugandan Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, who reported that at least 265 contacts were documented, 90 of whom had completed quarantine while being monitored for symptoms.

Though there is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain of Ebola involved in this outbreak, authorities have initiated a clinical study to evaluate a trial vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. The last notable outbreak in Uganda, which started in September 2022, resulted in at least 55 fatalities before it was declared over four months later.

Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials and manifests through symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and, in severe cases, bleeding. The virus is believed to initially transfer to humans from infected animals, a fact established since the disease’s discovery in 1976 during simultaneous outbreaks in South Sudan and the Congo, near the Ebola River.

The successful discharge of the last Ebola patients in Uganda indicates a pivotal milestone in controlling a worrisome public health threat. Through prompt responses and rigorous contact tracing efforts, Uganda has effectively managed to contain the outbreak, despite challenges such as the lack of an approved vaccine for the specific strain. Continued research into potential vaccines is essential for preparedness against future occurrences.

Original Source: apnews.com