Uganda lifts Ebola restrictions

By Busra Nur Cakmak and Tufan Aktas

ISTANBUL / ANKARA (AA) - Uganda has lifted its Ebola restrictions in two districts which were the epicenter of the outbreak.

“It is 89 days today since the outbreak of Ebola was declared in Mubende District and we have been responding to contain this outbreak. It is also 63 days since Mubende and Kassanda have been under restricted movements,” Jessica Alupo, vice president of the East African nation, said on Saturday.

“So far, Mubende district has not registered any confirmed case for 34 days and neither has Kassanda for 37 days,” she added.

The country has been struggling to contain the highly infectious Ebola since an outbreak was declared in September.

According to the Health Ministry, there are currently no new Ebola cases. The country is counting down toward 42 straight days without any new Ebola cases reported. When that period ends on Jan. 10, it will be declared Ebola-free.

So far, 56 deaths have been reported in Uganda due to Ebola.