By Carol Natukunda

Uganda will officially be declared Ebola-free on October 4. In a statement from the ministry of health issued on Friday, the director general of health services Dr. D. K. Lwamafa said the country was safe for all people including foreigners intending to travel in and out of the country.

He, however, stated that they would continue monitoring communities in order not to risk another outbreak.

“The surveillance team is currently stationed in Arua district to monitor the Ebola situation on the Congo side of the border,” Lwamafa stated.

According to the World Health Organization surveillance criteria, an affected country must monitor the situation for 42 days after the last Ebola patient is discharged, before finally declaring that the outbreak is over.

Lwamafa clarified that there is currently no travel ban in any part of the country, including Kibaale district which was the epicentre of the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the ministry said the structures previously set up at hospitals to contain the outbreak were still operational to combat any potential risks.