After 42 days with no new cases diagnosed, Sierra Leone was declared Ebola-free. Crowds held bittersweet celebrations in the country’s capital.
Advertisement
The World Health Organisation declared the country Ebola free last Saturday after there were no new cases reported for 42 consecutive days. Dr. Nordstrom averred that this new phase is critical as their goal is to ensure a resilient zero and that they can detect and respond to any potential ebola flare ups. As of today, that marks the last time that anyone had a second negative blood test for the Ebola virus.
President Koroma said Sierra Leone had no knowledge of this disease and at the beginning there were lots of mistakes made, but now the president says people of Sierra Leone, the health workers all know about the disease and if there is any relapse they will be able to end it quickly. As soon as the World Health Organization announcement was out, citizens of the African country celebrated on the streets for the major achievement. Stellar said that whilst Ebola cases remain in the country, the level of cases is dwindling, and it said it hopes the country can be declared Ebola-free in the “near future”.
Reuters reports that Sierra Leone’s first confirmed EVD survivor Victoria Yillia says she is happy that the disease that almost killed her has ended, and she urges the authorities not to forget the survivors, many of whom have faced social stigma and persistent health problems.
“While Sierra Rutile experienced no cases of Ebola and all our employees stayed safe, there was a considerable strain on our people and operations were, at times, impacted by indirect issues associated with the outbreak”.
Advertisement
“WHO will maintain an enhanced staff presence in Sierra Leone as the response transitions from outbreak control to support enhanced vigilance and to the recovery of essential health services”, Anders Nordström of WHO said in the statement. Earlier, thousands of people also paid tribute to the health workers who lost their lives fighting against Ebola. Several residents of the city were seen celebrating the news.
