WHO declares Uganda Ebola outbreak over

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Uganda over, while warning that transmission remains active in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda declared itself free of the disease on July 28 after recording 20 cases and two deaths. The WHO continued monitoring the country to ensure no chains of transmission had been missed.

WHO African region emergency preparedness director Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire said cases continued to rise in Congo despite progress in slowing the outbreak.

More than 5 600 cases and 2 700 deaths had been recorded in Congo as of Tuesday, according to the government.

“Transmission remains very active,” Belizaire said. 

“We have slowed the acceleration, but we have not yet bent this curve.”

She said improvements had been made in contact tracing and testing, but warned of an immediate $30 million funding gap for logistical operations in the worst-affected areas.

(Reuters)