World Health Organization declares Uganda Ebola free
The declaration comes after Uganda went through the mandatory 42 days without registering a case.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Uganda free of Ebola and congratulated the Uganda government and stakeholders for combating the deadly virus that has left 49 people dead in a spell of only 4 months.
The ceremony to declare Uganda Ebola-free was held in Mubende district where the first case was first reported last year in September.
"Today's joy is for all of us. Thanks to strong coordination, bravery of health workers, timely mobilization of dev partners & the community, #Uganda is #EbolaOutbreak free. Continued surveillance is essential to avoid any resurgence of cases." Dr @tegegny, @WHORepinUganda. pic.twitter.com/4d9oNhJ0jV
— WHO Uganda (@WHOUganda) January 11, 2023
The declaration comes after Uganda went through the mandatory 42 days without registering a case. The last patient with Ebola was discharged 42 days.
The head of WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated ‘Uganda’s government, health workers & communities for your dedication to end the Ebola outbreak in less than 4 months.’
To all those who have lost their loved ones to this #Ebolavirus disease, the entire @WHO family stands with you. May God comfort you.
To the survivors, we thank God for your life, a follow-up program has been put in place to support survivors. pic.twitter.com/S2z8KxFyIs— Yonas Tegegn WOLDEMARIAM (@tegegny) January 11, 2023
“We thank donors & partners for swiftly mobilizing resources, and vaccine developers for making candidate vaccines available in record time,” Ghebreyesus said.
“Our strength in this response has been the essential control measures in place such as surveillance, contact tracing & infection prevention & control. The magic solution has also been our communities who have supported us through this Ebola Outbreak.” minister of health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said.
The first case of Ebola was first reported by the health ministry on 20th September in Mubende. The virus would later spread to other neighbouring districts and the capital Kampala.
"Our strength in this response has been the essential control measures in place such as surveillance, contact tracing & infection prevention & control. The magic solution has also been our communities who have supported us through this #EbolaOutbreak." Hon. @JaneRuth_Aceng pic.twitter.com/M6V54zwrdj
— WHO Uganda (@WHOUganda) January 11, 2023
To curb the spread of the virus, the government instituted a lockdown in the districts of Mubende and Kassanda which were the epicentre of the virus.
Among other measures to curb the spread of the virus, the government and the ministry of education cut short the third school academic term of 2022 to minimize the interaction of teachers, learners and parents.
