Uganda Declares End Of The Most Recent Ebola Outbreak
The 11th of January 2023 was a momentous day in the history of Uganda as the country declared the end of the most recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak caused by the Sudan strain. The long-awaited announcement was made exactly 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles of the deadly Virus) after the last reported patient in the country had tested negative for this Virus.
The most recent Ebola Virus outbreak was first confirmed in Mubende district on the 19th of September 2022, thereby spreading to the neighboring districts of Kassanda, Kagadi, Kyegegwa and with isolated cases in Kampala, Wakiso, Jinja, Bunyangabu, and Masaka. The recent Ebola Sudan strain saw over 164 cases (142 being confirmed and 22 being probable), 87 recovered patients, and 55 deaths. The case-fatality ratio of this outbreak was 47%, and fact that Uganda had defeated Ebola before, the country has done it yet again.
World Health Organization Director-General- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated the country for its robust as well as comprehensive response that resulted in winning the battle toward the most recent Ebola Virus outbreak. He also pointed out that Uganda has exhibited that this deadly Virus can be defeated when the entire system works together, right from having a vigilant system in place, to finding as well as caring for people that are affected and their contacts, in addition to having the full and committed participation of affected communities in terms of response. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa also noted that there are currently no vaccines for treating the Ebola Sudan strain.
While the source of the outbreak still remains to date, the Ministry of Health is working with local and International partners to find the possible and proximal source of the most recent Ebola Virus outbreak, and why Ebola outbreaks in the country normally start between July and October.
Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health urged the general public to remain alert and continues to implement the Standard Operating Procedures, as well as report any person in the community that presents Ebola-like symptoms such as the sudden onset of fever, body weakness, headache, blood from body openings (like nose, mouth, and eyes), bloody urine or stool, joint pains to the nearest Health Center or contact any of the Ministry’s toll-free numbers.
Following Uganda’s declaration of being Ebola-free, the USA Government has also lifted the restriction requiring travelers who were in Uganda for the past 21 days to fly to the originally listed 5 American Airports.
Now that Uganda is Ebola-free, Business is back as usual and you can confidently book your Uganda safari (although it was still safe to visit the country during the Ebola Virus Outbreak because tourist activities while conducted while following Standard Operating Procedures and the fact that National Parks are far from the hotspots of the most recent outbreak). Send an email to info@adventureugandasafaris.com for planning your long-awaited 2023 Uganda safari.
About Uganda
Uganda is a beautiful land-locked country set in the East African region, bordered by South Sudan in the north, Kenya in the West, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda in the southwest, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the West. At 241,238 square kilometers, Uganda is about the same size as the United Kingdom and shelters some of the most beautiful attractions you will ever desire to see in Uganda. This country, dubbed the Pearl of Africa is home to mountain gorillas (sheltering more than half the World’s population of these Giant Apes), over 1080 bird species (about 10% of the World’s total bird species and about 60% of what Africa offers in terms of bird species). The most incredible thing is that Uganda can be visited all year round.