West Africa’s three worst hit countries are now free of Ebola, it was announced yesterday.
Liberia has again been declared free of Ebola by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – leading to all three countries being free of disease together.
The announcement comes 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus) after the last confirmed patient in Liberia tested negative for the disease two times. The country was first declared free of the virus in May 2015 but it returned twice.
However, WHO has warned that strong surveillance and response systems are critical in the next few months because more flare-ups are expected.
Dr Alex Gasasira, WHO Representative in Liberia, said: “WHO commends Liberia’s government and people on their effective response to this recent re-emergence of Ebola.
“The rapid cessation of the flare-up is a concrete demonstration of the government’s strengthened capacity to manage disease outbreaks. WHO will continue to support Liberia in its effort to prevent, detect and respond to suspected cases.”
It is the first time since the start of the epidemic two years ago that all three of the hardest-hit countries—Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone—have reported zero cases for at least 42 days.
Sierra Leone was declared free of Ebola transmission on 7 November 2015 and Guinea on 29 December.
Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General described the achievement of ridding the countries of Ebola as “monumental”.
“So much was needed and so much was accomplished by national authorities, heroic health workers, civil society, local and international organisations and generous partners. But our work is not done and vigilance is necessary to prevent new outbreaks,” she added.
WHO says Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone remain at high risk of additional small outbreaks of Ebola, with 10 flare-ups having been identified to date.
Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO’s Special Representative for the Ebola Response, said it was in a critical period in the Ebola epidemic as it moves from managing cases and patients to managing the residual risk of new infections.
“The risk of re-introduction of infection is diminishing as the virus gradually clears from the survivor population, but we still anticipate more flare-ups and must be prepared for them,” he said.
“A massive effort is underway to ensure robust prevention, surveillance and response capacity across all three countries by the end of March.”
The Ebola epidemic has killed more than 11,300 people and infected over 28,500.
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