Uganda declares itself free of Ebola fever

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda said on Wednesday it had eradicated an outbreak of Ebola that infected 149 people, of whom 37 died, mostly in a remote western district.

"Uganda is Ebola free," Health Minister Stephen Malinga said, adding the declaration conformed with a World Health Organization (WHO) stipulation of waiting for 42 days after releasing the last patient.

"I can declare that Uganda has eradicated Ebola."

Ugandan officials said the outbreak at the end of 2007 had a low mortality rate compared to previous epidemics of the deadly virus, including another one in the east African nation in 2000 that killed more than half of 425 people infected.

A 2006 outbreak in neighboring Congo infected up to 264 people, killing 187.

The WHO also said the outbreak in the western Bundibugyo district was over.

"The last person to be infected by the virus was discharged on January 8. This is more than double the maximum incubation period (42 days) for Ebola," the WHO said in a statement.

(Additional reporting by Laura MacInnis in Geneva)

(Reporting by Francis Kwera; Editing by Catherine Evans)