Uganda succeeds in declaring an end to the Ebola outbreak

Government Uganda It declared the end of the Ebola outbreak, less than four months after the first cases were reported.

Since September 20, 56 people have died from the virus, which is transmitted through bodily fluids, and 142 infections have been confirmed.

The country has not reported any new infections in more than 42 days, which is twice the maximum incubation period for the virus, which is standard from World Health Organization To declare a country free of Ebola.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aseng Osero. “The magic wand was our communities realizing the importance of doing what was necessary to end the outbreak and taking action.”

The latest outbreak of the Sudanese strain of the virus was one of the worst Uganda has seen in two decades. There is currently no vaccine against the strain.

The outbreak began in the Mubindi district of central Uganda and spread to neighboring areas Casanda. Cases have also been reported in the capital, Kampala. Both regions have been placed under lockdown for months.

“This is a great day for the country,” he said. Emmanuel Aenebiona, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. “I am sure that we have dealt with this situation in the shortest possible time.”

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He acknowledged that the lockdowns affected people’s livelihoods, but added, “These restrictive measures were able to contain the spread of the outbreak to other parts of the country.”

Uganda Red Cross He said he would not immediately withdraw from the affected areas.

Trials are being conducted on a vaccine against the Sudanese strain. Government officials have indicated their intention to continue developing vaccines The Sabin Vaccine Institute in the United States, the University of Oxford, the Jenner Institute in the United Kingdom, the Serum Institute of India, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

“This is where our focus will be: research, training, capacity development, and making sure we build resilient health systems,” he said. Einbyona. “We will be more prepared to respond to any other health emergency that may arise.”

Dr.. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusChief Executive Officer Who is the, He congratulated Uganda on its “strong and comprehensive response”. “Lessons learned and systems in place for this outbreak will protect Ugandans and others for years to come.”

This is the first outbreak of the Ebola strain in Sudan Uganda Since 2012.