Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organisation, has finally declared Uganda Ebola free two months after the disease broke out claiming 17 lives.

After the outbreak was declared in late-July, MSF's emergency team responded by setting up treatment centres at Kagadi Hospital in Kibaale District, western Uganda and training health staff on caring for patients. MSF has now handed over the Ebola treatment centre to the Ministry of Health.

MSF emergency coordinator, Olimpia de la Rosa in a statement sent to the Independent said that Uganda has developed the capacity to respond to Ebola emergencies. She noted that the Ministry of Health staff can take over and manage Ebola cases with all safety guarantees.

An Ebola outbreak is officially considered eradicated after 42 days have elapsed without any new confirmed cases. There have been no confirmed cases since Aug 3 making Uganda Ebola free.

The Ebola epidemic has successfully been contained thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Health, MSF, and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Uganda Red Cross and the World Health Organisation (WHO).