Last Ebola outbreak patient set for discharge

The last patient hospitalised by the recent outbreak of the deadly Ebola fever in western Uganda is set to be released from care.

However, health officials warned that it was too early to state the threat of a further outbreak in the Bundibugyo area had completely passed.

Doctor Sam Zaramba, the director-general of health services, told the Monitor that the country could only be declared free of the potentially fatal haemorrhagic fever once a significant period had passed following the discharge of the last Ebola patient.

"It is still too early to celebrate [an end to Ebola]. We shall only declare the country Ebola-free 42 days after the last Ebola patient is discharged," he said.

The doctor's comments came after the Monitor also reported the seclusion of two people in the east of the country following fears that they were displaying the symptoms of Ebola.

Bundibugyo's outbreak of Ebola affected a total of 149 people, resulting in 37 deaths, including eight health workers.

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