Uganda Successfully Discharges Last Ebola Patients; No New Cases Reported
On February 18, 2025, Uganda released the last eight Ebola patients, signaling the end of the outbreak with no new cases reported. The World Health Organization praised Uganda’s efficient response efforts. Despite the absence of approved vaccines for the Sudan strain, a clinical study for a trial vaccine is underway. Contact tracing played a pivotal role in managing the outbreak, which previously resulted in at least 55 deaths in a separate incident.
On February 18, 2025, Uganda’s health authorities reported the discharge of the last eight Ebola patients, marking a significant milestone in the country’s response to the outbreak. There have been no new positive cases since the initial detection of the virus last month. According to the World Health Organization, these recoveries demonstrate the effectiveness of Uganda’s rapid and coordinated intervention efforts.
Most of the recovered patients received treatment at Mulago Referral Hospital in Kampala. The outbreak was traced back to a male nurse who passed away shortly before the outbreak was officially declared on January 30. Subsequent contact tracing efforts led to the identification and hospitalization of relatives of the deceased.
Uncovering contacts is vital to controlling the spread of Ebola, which manifests as a viral hemorrhagic fever. Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng confirmed that officials have documented 265 contacts, with 90 individuals having completed a quarantine period, during which they were monitored for Ebola symptoms.
Interestingly, there are no existing vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola observed in this outbreak. However, Ugandan authorities have initiated a clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a trial vaccine to prevent further infections. The previous Ebola outbreak in Uganda, beginning in September 2022, resulted in at least 55 fatalities before it was declared over four months later.
Ebola is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. The virus is thought to originate from infected animals or consumption of their raw meat, with the first recognized Ebola outbreaks occurring in the 1970s in South Sudan and the Congo, near the Ebola River.
The discharge of the last Ebola patients in Uganda signifies the successful containment of the outbreak, following a comprehensive response from health authorities. Although the nation faces challenges due to the lack of approved vaccines for the particular strain, ongoing testing for trial vaccines offers hope for future outbreaks. Contact tracing and monitoring for symptoms has proven essential in addressing the recent crisis, highlighting the importance of swift and organized health interventions.
Original Source: apnews.com
