Uganda Discharges Last Ebola Patients, Reports No New Cases
Uganda discharged its last eight Ebola patients on February 18, 2025, reporting no new cases. The World Health Organization commended the rapid response by Ugandan health authorities. While no approved vaccines are available for the Sudan strain of Ebola, a clinical study for a trial vaccine has been launched to enhance future outbreak responses.
On February 18, 2025, health authorities in Uganda announced the discharge of the final eight patients who had successfully recovered from Ebola, marking the end of the local outbreak. Notably, there have been no new positive cases reported since the outbreak was identified in January. The World Health Organization praised these recoveries, highlighting the effectiveness of Uganda’s swift and coordinated response to the crisis.
Most of the recovering patients received treatment at Mulago Referral Hospital in the capital, Kampala. The sole Ebola-related death occurred just prior to the outbreak declaration on January 30. The deceased was a male nurse whose relatives later required hospitalization for the virus. In response to the threat, health officials have been diligently tracing contacts, documenting approximately 265 individuals, with over 90 having completed quarantine monitoring without developing symptoms.
While no approved vaccines exist for the Sudan strain of Ebola currently affecting Uganda, health authorities have initiated a clinical study to evaluate a trial vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The most recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda, which commenced in September 2022, resulted in 55 fatalities before it was declared under control four months later.
Ebola is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Symptoms consist of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding. The initial infection is thought to occur through contact with infected animals or consumption of their raw meat. The disease was first identified in 1976 during simultaneous outbreaks in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the Ebola River.
In conclusion, Uganda’s recent discharge of the last Ebola patients signifies a critical milestone in managing the viral outbreak. With no new cases reported and effective contact tracing implemented, health authorities have demonstrated their capacity to control the situation. The ongoing clinical studies for a trial vaccine represent a proactive step toward bolstering defenses against future outbreaks, reflecting a commitment to public health safety.
Original Source: apnews.com
