By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
NATIONAL
Ministry of health has today 11th January declared Ebola free country after 114 days since ministry of health announced the outbreak on 20th September 2022. The outbreak started in Madudu sub county, Mubende district and at the time of confirmation, several people who had been infected with symptoms consistent with Ebola had died.
This has been confirmed by Minister of health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng together with the world Health Organization’s representative to Uganda , Yonas Tegen in Mubende district after passing the WHO’s timeline of 42 days having discharged the last patient in December 2022.
Dr. Aceng noted that the outbreak was identified after an adult male who later died was managed at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital and confirmed to have been infected with Sudan Ebola virus disease.
Dr. Aceng said the country recorded a total of 143 confirmed cases of Ebola, with 22 probable cases, 55 deaths and 85 recoveries in this outbreak and of the 143 cases, 85(59%) were males while 58(41%) were females.
Dr. Aceng has stressed that the source of this outbreak is like many others is still not known but assured the country ministry of health together with local and international partners to continue looking for the most possible and proximal source of the current outbreak.
During the declaration celebration today, Hon Aceng hailed HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his personal dedication and commitment to control efforts and timely interventions at all levels of response. In the same way, Dr. Aceng also thanked the Rt. Hon prime minister and cabinet for all the support provided in response to the outbreak.
Aceng also thanked the health workers, RDCs, district local council committees in the 9 districts that were affected for their selfless and tireless efforts to fight the deadly disease among others.
