By Uganda has discharged its last confirmed Ebola patient, marking a major milestone in containing the latest outbreak, even as the United States continues to advise its citizens against travelling to the country due to health concerns.
The final patient, a Congolese national who had been receiving treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital, was discharged on Thursday, triggering the World Health Organization’s mandatory 42 day countdown before Uganda can officially be declared Ebola free, provided no new cases are recorded. Uganda’s last confirmed case was reported on June 22.
Despite the encouraging development, the US Department of State has maintained its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Uganda, citing Ebola alongside crime, terrorism and civil unrest. The advisory also notes that the outbreak has limited the US government’s ability to provide emergency consular services in Uganda.
Ugandan health officials have urged countries to review travel restrictions, arguing that the country’s swift response helped contain an outbreak that recorded 20 confirmed cases, most linked to infections imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Authorities say surveillance and contact tracing remain in place during the 42 day observation period.
