GREAT LAKES: IRIN-CEA Update 1,100

UGANDA: Masindi District declared Ebola-free

Uganda's health ministry has declared the western district of Masindi to
be Ebola-free, Ugandan radio announced on Wednesday. It quoted a press
release from the health ministry as saying that 40 days had passed since
the last case of Ebola was confirmed in the district. The ministry thanked
the people of Masindi for the "job well done in controlling the disease".
WHO also reported on Wednesday that as of 14 January, there had been no
new Ebola cases in Gulu District. It said the cumulative total of cases
remained at 396 cases, with 150 deaths. The total number of cases in
Masindi remained at 27 cases, with 19 deaths, it added.

The WHO reiterated that the Ebola outbreak required no special
restrictions on travel or trade to or from the country. Ugandan Muslims
are currently in disagreement with the Saudi Arabian authorities who have
refused to allow them travel to Mecca on pilgrimage, citing fears that
Ebola infection in one of the Ugandan delegates would be risky for the
rest of the pilgrims, according to Uganda media.