The World Health Organisation has today declared Liberia free of Ebola,
effectively ending the world’s worst outbreak of the disease.
The group said “all known chains of transmission” have been stopped
in west Africa but "flare-ups" could still be expected over the next few
months.
It comes 42 days after Liberia’s last confirmed patient tested negative for the disease.
Since December 2013, Ebola has claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people.
Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, said: “So much was needed and
so much was accomplished by national authorities, heroic health
workers, civil society, local and international organizations and
generous partners.
“But our work is not done and vigilance is necessary to prevent new outbreaks.”
The WHO said Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone was still at risk from Ebola outbreaks.
Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO’s special representative for the Ebola
Response, said: “We are now at a critical period in the Ebola epidemic
as we move 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.
“A massive effort is underway to ensure robust prevention,
surveillance and response capacity across all three countries by the end
of March.”
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